WATERLOO Road has confirmed an original character’s return – 16 years after leaving the BBC show.
After swapping Waterloo Road for Happy Valley and Emmerdale, Jason Merrells will return for a special guest appearance next February.
Viewers can take a nostalgic trip back to the original series’ 2006 roots when the star played headteacher Jack Rimmer.
But this time, he won’t be back as head – Lindsey Coulson has bagged that job as Dame Stella Drake.
The EastEnders actress will soon be stepping into Steve Savage’s shoes after Jason Manford quit the role.
As the original head, Jack was a charismatic leader who provided stability to the school until he handed in his notice in series three to pursue a role in Dubai.
This time around, Jack returns to the show, but he is now a counsellor.
Speaking of his return, Jason said: “I left the original series of Waterloo Road in 2006 with very fond memories of building a character in such a great ensemble and with such an important story.
“When I saw the renewed interest from another generation – who weren’t born when we made the original – I was heartened and surprised.”
“Jack Rimmer was probably my favourite long-running character I’ve played on television, and going back for this new incarnation to tell this story of who Jack has become over the intervening years has been an absolute pleasure.
“It’s a different building, but the same ethos, drama, humour, and integrity are still in place; it felt like coming home.”
In a sneak peek at the show, the new headteacher asks for Jack’s help as she settles into her new role.
Jason is not the first former alumni to step back into the school.
Denise Welch also played Steph Haydock from 2006 to 2010 and returned this year.
And Katie Griffiths’s Chlo Charles and Chelsee Healey‘s Janeece Bryant have returned for a visit.
Meanwhile, Jamie Glover’s Andrew Treneman and Lauren Drummond’s Mika Grainger have reprised their roles in the past.
Of course, Kim Campbell, played by Angela Griffin, and Donte Charles, played by Adam Thomas, remain in the show as lead cast members.
