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
Noah Kahan begs fans to ‘just go to the bathroom’ ahead of Manchester shows
Daisy Jackson
Noah Kahan has had to issue a bizarre warning on concert etiquette ahead of his UK tour, after a fan apparently defecated on the floor at his show.
The Stick Season singer-songwriter, who will headline two massive gigs in Manchester this year, has begged his fans to ‘just go to the bathroom lmao’.
He’s had to speak out after videos circulated online that appeared to show human faeces beneath a chair and in the walkway at one of his US gigs.
According to witnesses at his Philadelphia show, one concert-goer relieved themselves onto the floor, then tried to kick the faeces under the seat in front.
Noah Kahan has now released a statement online that says: “If you have to poop at a show please dear god just go to the bathroom lmao.
“I’ve pooped my pants as much as the next 29 year old but you guys gotta understand there’s a venue worker out there with a 1000 yard stare after dealing with that.”
The star has since gone one step further, and addressed the poop incident on stage in Toronto.
He told fans inside the venue: “This is awkward. When you enter this building, you enter a social contract, right?
“And rule number two besides ‘don’t literally f**king kill each other’, is ‘don’t s**t on the floor’.
“So we’re gonna do some therapy type thing where we all repeat after me, okay?”
He then led the crowd to repeat the following chant: “I solemnly swear, I will not s**t my pants, and if I do, I won’t take it from my pants and put it on the floor.”
Manchester institution ‘a little emotional’ after receiving a visit from rock icon Hayley Williams
Daisy Jackson
Rock icon Hayley Williams has been spotted shopping at Manchester institution Afflecks.
The legendary independent retail emporium said it was ‘feeling a little emotional’ after its halls were graced with rock royalty.
And not only did the Paramore frontwoman and acclaimed solo singer-songwriter come for a browse, she even gave Afflecks a shout-out on stage later that night.
Hayley Williams headlined two solo shows at Manchester Academy on Monday and Tuesday this week.
The shows are in support of her third studio album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party.
And despite being known globally as one of music’s best lead vocalists, this is actually Hayley Williams’ first solo tour (her previous dates were cancelled because of Covid).
While on stage in front of fans last night, she said: “I’ve learnt some Mancunian, and I’ve been to Afflecks!”
It sounds like she’s as lovely as she is legendary, with Afflecks saying that the star hung around to chat and take photos.
Sharing photos of the star inside the building, Afflecks wrote: “So a very special visitor stopped by Afflecks yesterday…
“A huge thank you to Hayley Williams for taking the time to visit us, say hello, and pose for a photo. She was so super lovely, kind, and welcoming, and to top it all off she even gave Afflecks a shout-out during last night’s show.
“Safe to say we’re feeling a little emotional about it. Thank you again Hayley for supporting Manchester’s small businesses.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th January 2023 
