By Sam Elliott-Gibbs
Jason Manford is about to become a headteacher on Waterloo Road \- but admits he'd have been totally rubbish at the real thing.
The BBC show is returning for its 14th series later this year and comedian Jason says he jumped at the chance to join after becoming obsessed with in during lockdown. Jason will take on the role of Steve Savage and often wondered if he could have a future in the classroom.
The Manchester-born actor said he was “dead proud” to be a part of the show’s history, as he prepares to portray headteacher Steve, who has a significant influence on the school’s staff and students. His new role will leave fans “questioning” the fate of current school head Kim Campbell, played by actress Angela Griffin.
Jason, 42, said: “What an absolute treat it is to join the cast and crew of Waterloo Road, right here in my home city of Manchester. My kids and I binged the show on iPlayer during lockdown. It’s such a brilliant, iconic show, so I’m dead proud to now be part of its history. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher and now becoming a headteacher, I know I would have been terrible!”
Cameron Roach, executive producer of Waterloo Road, said: “We’re thrilled that Jason Manford is joining Waterloo Road, as the show returns for a fourth series since returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Jason is a phenomenal comic actor, and has fully embraced the tone and spirit of the show, we can’t wait for the audience to meet Steve Savage and his son Billy.
“As with all of our adult cast, Jason has been an inspiring and approachable mentor to our younger cast and crew; we love that a new generation of Northern talent are able to learn their craft alongside brilliant household names. The legacy of Waterloo Road goes from strength to strength.”
Jason was team captain on Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 Cats from 2007 to 2010, and has starred in numerous West End musicals including The Wizard Of Oz, Peter Pan and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Joining him on the next series of Waterloo Road include Coronation Street’s Saira Choudhry, Olly Rhodes, Nathan Wood and Sonya Nisa.
Adam Thomas and Kym Marsh are set to return to the school, along with James Baxter, Jo Coffey, Shauna Shim, Neil Fitzmaurice, Rachel Leskovac and Katherine Pearce. The series returned to TV screens in 2023 after becoming popular among audiences on BBC iPlayer during lockdown.
Waterloo Road will air later this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer