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.
“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.
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
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Will Mellor’s new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims airs tonight
Emily Sergeant
A new BBC documentary about real-life victims from the Post Office scandal fronted by Will Mellor is hitting TV screens tonight.
As the country finally starts to wake up to the full scale of the Post Office scandal – which involved the British postal service pursuing thousands of innocent subpostmasters for apparent financial shortfalls caused by faults in an accounting software system between 1999 and 2015 – actor Will Mellor is on a mission to find out what happened to the real-life sub-postmasters in this new BBC documentary.
The Stockport-born actor famously played the part of Lee Castleton in the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and says he feels a “real affinity” will the families he spoke to for the programme.
For the new documentary and accompanying five-part BBC Sounds podcast series – which is titled Surviving the Post Office – Will actually speaks to Mr Castleton himself, as well as four other affected people and their families whose lives have been “torn apart”.
Will Mellor has fronted a new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims / Credit: ITV
Surviving the Post Office ventures to all four corners of England, including East Yorkshire, County Durham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, and Cornwall, as Will discovers that many of the sub-postmasters want to “take back control of their lives”.
According to the BBC, for some facing the past, that proves to be a “troubling experience”, while for others, it ends up being a “liberating” step forwards.
As well as exploring the financial losses for many, including the people featured in the documentary and podcast series, Will also gets to find out how they are coping with their emotions, trying to move on from the whole ordeal, and how the victims are finding support in unexpected ways.
📢 Actor Will Mellor meets the real-life victims of the Post Office scandal in a brand new documentary from BBC Local
Surviving The Post Office is coming to @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer tonight at 8.30pm. The podcast series is on @BBCSounds now
“I feel a real affinity with these families, so it was a privilege to hear their stories for this documentary and podcast,” Will said ahead of the documentary airing on BBC One.
“What shocked me the most after meeting so many sub-postmasters is just how far the impact and trauma has spread – the effect it’s had on people’s health, their children, and their whole communities has been massive.”