Waterloo Road star announces new gig just weeks after quitting BBC school-based drama

A WATERLOO Road star has announced a new gig just weeks after quitting the BBC school-based drama.

Comedian and actor Jason Manford played headteacher Steve Savage in the latest series of school-based drama and has paid tribute to costars.

The new head of St Clements Academy arrived with a storyline about his on-screen son Billy (Olly Rhodes).

But they didn't have too long to settle in before Billy began to be bullied by Schuey Weaver (Zak Sutcliffe) and Boz (Nathan Wood).

The storyline escalates until Billy decides to take matters into his own hands, with a disastrous outcome.

When Boz is discovered dead, Mr Savage and Billy are arrested and that is the end of their appearances on the show.

After his dramatic, Jason took to X, formerly Twitter, to pay tribute to the show and his fellow actors: ‘Such an honour to have been trusted with this role," he said.

"I loved my time on the show, with the wonderful team from catering to producers, to everyone in front and behind the lens.

"Great writing and directing throughout and everyone made it so easy for me to join the Waterloo Road family."

The award-winning comedian is playing a starring role of Prince Charming in Cinderella at Manchester Opera House.

After that he looks forward to his 2025 live tour, A Manford All Seasons.

He recently added 89 new shows to the roster across the country.

The host of 8 Out of 10 Cats has presented numerous TV programmes, from The One Show to a Question of Sport and Children in Need.

Jason has also tread the boards in West End musicals, including Sweeney Todd, The Wizard of Oz, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Fans will not have to wait long for Jason's replacement as the head of Waterloo Road.

Eastenders Linsey Coulson is stepping into his shoes.

Lindsey told : ‘I’m delighted to be joining Waterloo Road as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake.’

‘It’s a role I haven’t played before so I’m really enjoying peeling back the layers of who Stella is and seeing how the teachers and students react to her no-nonsense approach."

The 14th series of Waterloo Road finished in October but bosses have confirmed it will return in 2025.