Actress Denise Welch has confirmed her legendary Waterloo Road character, Steph Haydock, will be returning to our screens just as fans remember her: 'older but not wiser'. The star has reprised her role as the famously un-PC French teacher for the BBC drama's revival, promising the iconic character remains 'completely inappropriate'.
No Return for a 'Dull and Dowdy' Steph
Welch revealed she had one non-negotiable condition for returning to the role she played in the show's first six series. She told producers she would only come back if Steph Haydock was not sanitised for a modern, more politically correct audience. 'I don't want to ruin people's memories of the character she was,' Welch stated.
The actress recalled telling executive producer Cameron Roach that while the days of Steph's most outrageous antics might be over, her essential spirit could not be dampened. 'If Steph is going to come back and be seen as some kind of non-smoking, non-drinking, settled down person then it’s not for me,' she insisted.
A Comeback 'With a Bang'
Ultimately, the show's writers won Welch over with a bold new storyline that felt true to Steph's character. 'They came back with this chlamydia storyline and I just thought: "That’s right up my street,"' the actress explained. She confirmed that while Steph's heart is in the right place, her methods and mouth remain as unfiltered as ever.
Welch also emphasised it was important that Steph, now in her mid-sixties, was portrayed as still being sexually active, a facet of older life she feels is underrepresented on television. 'It was important to me she was still sexually active... you can still be a nana or grandma... and that’s not shown a lot on television,' she said.
Reunions and New Relationships
Steph's return will see her reconnect with former headteacher and old flame, Jack Rimmer, played by Jason Merrells. Welch teased there is plenty of playful banter between them, with Steph mocking his preferences and hinting at the fun to be had with an older woman.
She will also form a key bond with a new student, Portia Weever (Maisey Robinson). True to form, Steph will champion the teenager others have given up on. 'The thing with Steph is she has always taken on board the kids who people give up on,' Welch noted, highlighting her character's unconventional but often effective teaching style.
Despite initial nerves about returning to the role after 15 years, Welch said she felt immediately at home, especially when the new, younger cast – who are fans of the original series – greeted her with cries of 'Miss Haydock!'. 'I opened my mouth and it was like 15 years had not happened,' she said, describing the experience as a warm and inclusive homecoming. The return of the iconic teacher is set to bring her unique brand of chaotic care back to Waterloo Road.
