New year at Waterloo Road begins with a bang

A shooting at school will shape the forthcoming term at Waterloo Road. The BBC One series, set in a tough Rochdale school and starring Neil Morrissey and Eva Pope, will begin with a 90-minute special in which the gun incident is central. The school is then forced to employ a security guard, Dave (played by Tim Healy), who takes a shine to French teacher Steph Haydock (played by his real-life wife Denise Welch). However, Steph rebuffs Dave's advances - he's not in her league. The school is also rocked by the arrival of the Kelly family, after head teacher Rachel (Eva) introduces a non-exclusion policy and opens the schools doors to everyone by the addition of creche and adult education classes. "[The Kellys] manage to have a far-reaching influence across the school and there isn't anyone who escapes the impact they make," said a show insider. Waterloo Road starts at 8pm on Wednesday, January 7. Get all the latest soap gossip delivered straight to your door. Subscribe to Soaplife magazine today