TV & Showbiz

Ryan Thomas reacts as daughter Scarlett makes acting debut on Waterloo Road reboot

The 14-year-old is playing the part of Izzy Charles in the new BBC series.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 4th January 2023

Ryan Thomas has shared his reaction after his daughter made her acting debut in the new Waterloo Road reboot last night.

In case you hadn’t heard, the first episode of the long-awaited revival of Waterloo Road hit our screens last night, and viewers nationwide tuned in to watch some of the original cast members step into the shoes of their beloved characters once again, alongside a new crop of new young acting talent taking the reins.

Waterloo Road originally aired from 2006 to 2015, and was one of the UK’s longest-running TV contemporary dramas, going on to show award-winning and highly-publicised storylines, draw in millions of viewers each week, and amass a cult-following of fans.

It also famously launched the careers of many young and emerging actors, and it could very much be set to do this same this time around.

One of the young stars forming the cast of the reboot is 14-year-old Scarlett Thomas.

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Scarlett Thomas in last night’s episode of BBC’s Waterloo Road reboot / Credit: BBC

Scarlett is the daughter of Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas and Tina O’Brien, and the niece of Waterloo Road veteran Adam Thomas – who is known for playing the character of Donte Charles on the show from 2006-2009, and reprising the role in the 2023 reboot as the school’s caretaker.

In the new reboot series, Scarlett plays Izzy Charles, who is the daughter of her off-screen uncle’s character Donte, and other fan-favourite from the original series run, Chlo Grainger.

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Viewers of the show’s original run will remember following the storyline of Donte and Chlo’s rocky relationship that saw them get married at just 16 years old, and, in what was probably one of the show’s most memorable moments, saw Chlo give birth to Izzy in the school toilets.

Ahead of his daughter’s acting debut on last night’s episode, Ryan Thomas took to Instagram to share how proud he is of her, and his nephew Teddy – Adam’s real-life son, who is also playing his character’s on-screen son.

Scareltt Thomas as Izzy Charles / Credit: BBC

“What a time to be alive,” Ryan said on his Instagram story yesterday.

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“Waterloo Road, my little brother Adam, my little nephew Teddy and eldest daughter Scarlett take over the TV screen together as a family. Talk about a proud moment for the Thomases. I can’t wait for you guys to see it.”

He revealed that the Thomases watched the episode all together as a family, and added that it’s “beyond beautiful” and “so well shot”.

Adam Thomas also spoke of his pride ahead of his niece and son’s acting debuts in an interview with the MEN, calling it a “full circle moment” and hoping that it kickstarts the young stars’ careers.

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Adam said: ‘It’s just a dream come true the fact that Scarlett and Teddy get to start their career off on the same show that I did many moons ago.

“It’s just unbelievable, it’s full circle – it’s magic how life works out.”

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Waterloo Road is currently airing every Tuesday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Featured Image – Ryan Thomas (via Instagram)

TV & Showbiz

Salford City manager delivers X-rated, fiery and inspiring speech in new behind-the-scenes series

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford City manager Karl Robinson angry speech

Salford City FC manager Karl Robinson delivered an extremely passionate and X-rated dressing room speech to his players in a recent clip taken from the club’s new behind-the-scenes series.

The Salford City boss has divided opinion among the supporters during his time in charge at the Peninsula Stadium, but it’s fair to say this no-holds-barred clip will have at least won over a few.

Robinson has been the head coach of The Ammies since January 2024 and missed out on playoff places by just a single point last term, but the Greater Manchester side has made a strong start to the new League Two campaign.

Claiming 16 points from their first eight fixtures, with only Swindon Town and Gillingham having notched more thus far, it seems a fire has been lit under his squad. It would certainly seem to be the case – at least judging by this new footage, anyway…

What you see above is a snippet from just the second episode of SCFC’s new ‘This Is Salford’ online show, which debuted this season and lifts the lid on City, Robinson, co-owner Gary Neville (who has helped produce the digital series) and more.

Although it’s not quite on the scale of the famous Class of ’92: Out of Their League programme and Full Time spin-off special aired on television over the past decade, the recurring YouTube documentary will chronicle matchdays and much more.

The club have also explained that the digital-only show will also be split into two sub-sections; one is the kind of matchday coverage already shared, with the promise that it will always be released within “36 hours of the final whistle”.

Secondly, there will be This Is Salford: ‘Our Story‘ episodes, which they describe as sharing “a deeper level of storytelling, following players, coaches and club staff on everything from transfers to causes they’re passionate about.” Think Welcome to Wrexham, perhaps.

It just so happens the latest instalment caught the 45-year-old’s fuming rant following comments made by a player on the way back into the dugout.

While some fans have responded by commenting, “I’m pretty sure they didn’t want this kind of changing room” – citing past straight-talking managers who went on to be dismissed – the reception has been largely positive, with another replying: “I love the way Robbo commands the dressing room.”

Speaking via club media this week, Neville teased the series as going further in the amount they intend to reveal compared to the likes of Manchester City’s All Or Nothing or Together: Treble Winners docuseries, for instance.

Admittedly, not everyone has been convinced by the reaction from Robinson captured during their away trip to Notts County back on 9 August, going on to win the game 2-1.

One person accused him of ‘blagging’ and possibly playing up his anger towards the camera, while others have already seen it as evidence backing up why they have performed well thus far. Either way, they were victorious on the night and are currently third in the table.

Neville reiterated that “We need to get this out there as it happens. It needs to be in real time. It’s their Salford, it’s the fans’ Salford, and we want to show it.”

You can watch the episode in full and see what exactly sparked the fiery speech by Karl Robinson on the Salford City YouTube channel down below.

What do you make of the tirade?

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Featured Images — Salford City FC (screenshots via YouTube)

TV & Showbiz

Castlefield is being transformed into Gotham amidst more Hollywood filming in Greater Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Clayface Batman villain DC movie filming in Castlefield, Manchester

Castlefield, with its iconic viaduct and cobbled streets, is once again being used for big-budget filming as the latest Batman/DC Universe title, Clayface, looks to be setting up in the eye-catching Manc corner.

Whether it’s football kit reveals and brand shoots, BBC dramas or the next upcoming Netflix series, production crews can’t get enough of Castlefield, it would seem.

For those who hadn’t heard, work on the new Clayface movie revolving around the cult favourite Batman villain is well underway, and the North West has been used as the backdrop on multiple ocassions this month already.

You can see early glimpses of the set being put together down below.

https://x.com/TheMancUK/status/1967944490360226167

Come on, how cool is it that we get to stumble on stuff like this right on our doorstep so often?

Speaking to The Manc, a source detailed that the set is being assembled today (Tuesday, 16 September) ahead of a single day of principal photography on what we can only assume is more Clayface filming sometime tomorrow.

While she could not confirm with us directly, she said, “If you’re a comic book nerd and look at the posters, you’ll be able to figure it out.” We’ve certainly been studying all the easter eggs already.

It might not quite be as dark and gritty as Gotham City, but this particular part of Manchester has been used in TV and film – especially period dramas – many times for good reason.

The Victorian-era steel structure, dark red brick and overall industrial aesthetic work so well when it comes to creating a believable and cinematic world.

Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, you can add multiple music videos, several Manchester United and Man City shirt launches, and so many more that we’re starting to lose track.

As for Clayface, this isn’t even the first time the upcoming DC ‘body-horror’ flick has popped up in Greater Manchester.

Last week saw the equally striking Art Deco facade of the old The Plaza Super Cinema in Stockport turned into a fictional movie premiere to stunning effect:

We can’t get enough of stuff like this; we know there have been plenty of instances of Hollywood films and various TV projects utilising our streets and increasingly recognisable surroundings, but it still makes us feel like excited little kids.

Speaking of, another childhood favourite is filming here in Manchester right now, too.

Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, the new Narnia adaptation by Greta Gerwig may just be one of the biggest projects that has ever landed underneath the familiar ‘birdcage’.

ln fact, it just so happens that there are actually multiple noteworthy small and silver screen works fighting over the Castlefield shooting schedule at the moment…

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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