Denise Welch returning to Waterloo Road after 15 years away
Former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch is returning to Waterloo Road to reprise her role as teacher Miss Haydock, after 15 years away from the show.
Denise Welch is to return to Waterloo Road after 15 years away from the show.
The 67-year-old actress is to reprise her role as teacher Steph Haydock, who will return to the fictional BBC school as a supply teacher.
Denise said: "I'm thrilled to see the return of Steph to Waterloo Road. 15 years older, but certainly not wiser.
"She’ll soon show that time has certainly not dulled her shine! Still unmarried but eternally hopeful, Steph is back as a supply teacher.
"What she is supplying remains to be seen, but I am having a great time stepping back into the shoes of a character I love."
Denise is delighted to be reuniting with her former Waterloo Road co-star Jason Merrells, who plays Jack Rimmer in the programme.
She added: "It’s also been great to reunite with some of my old castmates, like Jason Merrells. Steph and Jack go back a long way, but will they move forward?! You'll have to wait and see."
Waterloo Road bosses are also pleased to have "iconic" teacher Steph back in the building, and admitted Neil Fitzmaurice's history teacher character Neil Guthrie has "met his match".
Cameron Roach, founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and exec producer for Waterloo Road, said: "Steph Haydock is a Waterloo Road icon, so we knew we had to find the right story if we were to see her back in our world.
"We were thrilled that Denise enjoyed our pitch and that the fans will get to see Steph once more - her one liners are just as sharp, her lip stick is fiercely drawn, and the staff room atmosphere is changed for good.
"Neil Guthrie has met his match. We can't wait for the fans to see her episodes."
Last November, it was reported by The Sun newspaper that Denise was in line to return to the BBC series.
A source told the publication's TV Biz column: "Waterloo Road fans love a comeback, particularly when it is someone of Denise’s calibre.
“The character is certainly one which will live long in the memory of devotees, and it’s an absolute no-brainer to have her return."
