Laurie Brett explains why recovering alcoholic Christine falls off the wagon after 90 days of sobriety in Waterloo Road (BBC1, Thursday)... How does English teacher Christine Mulgrew react to the sudden reappearance of ex-husband Joe in her life this week? "Christine has a real 'time stands still' moment when she walks into the staffroom and sees Joe there. Like a rabbit in the headlights she's completely shocked. She's overcome with a multitude of emotions and arranges to meet him at lunch as she needs time to think. She also wants him out of the school before her son Connor meets him!" But things don’t go to plan? "No! Christine's worst nightmare is for Joe and Connor to meet. And in typical TV fashion Joe - played by gorgeous Derek Riddell - is soon fixing school computers! As soon as she introduces them Christine realises she's lost Connor, who ends up being manipulated by Joe..." Is this why she hits the bottle? "Christine turns to drink because of abuse in her past. I think that will hit home with a lot of people. At first she's really strong and manages not to drink, but then she falls in spectacular fashion. This leads to an overwhelming urge to return to the crutch she knows best for blotting it all out - vodka! The revelations in this episode really explain why Christine is so damaged." Without giving too much away, what sort of revelations can we expect? "We find out the reality of her life and what she's been dealing with - including why she drinks and her bad relationship with her son. I think viewers will be shocked at how dark and gritty her story is. The very end of this episode explains why she is the way she is." Has it been draining to play such an emotional storyline? "Christine's story is really sad and there were several weeks of blood, sweat and tears, but I hope the result is worth it and it's well received. It was hard work, but it wasn't a chore, I loved doing it and am proud of it. Christine's a big departure from Jane in EastEnders and it's been a gift to have the opportunity to play someone so different so soon after leaving!" Do you feel at home playing her now? "She's a great character - multi-layered and in a constant battle with alcohol in her head. I'm right under the skin of Christine now and really understand her. She shows you never know what's going on behind the closed doors of people's hearts and Christine's story is particularly sad."
