Fans of the long-running school drama Waterloo Road are in a frenzy, declaring that the new year has already hit a high point, following the surprise return of a beloved original character.
A Legendary Comeback for the New Series
As the show launched its 17th season on BBC One, viewers were delighted to see Denise Welch reprise her iconic role as the unpredictable supply teacher, Steph Haydock. The actress, also known for her role on ITV's Loose Women, first played Steph from the show's inception in 2006 until 2010.
The new series, which premiered on Tuesday night at 9pm, is available in full as a box set on BBC iPlayer, with all eight episodes ready to binge. Welch's return marks a major moment for the revived drama, which originally ran from 2006 to 2015 before being rebooted in 2021.
"Eternally Hopeful" Steph Haydock is Back
Speaking about her comeback, Denise Welch expressed her thrill at stepping back into Steph's shoes. "I'm thrilled to see the return of Steph to Waterloo Road," she said. "15 years older, but certainly not wiser. She’ll soon show that time has certainly not dulled her shine!"
She teased what fans can expect: "Still unmarried but eternally hopeful, Steph is back as a supply teacher. What she is supplying remains to be seen." Welch also highlighted a nostalgic onscreen reunion with Jason Merrells, who plays Jack Rimmer, hinting at unresolved history between their characters.
The actress admitted the call to return was unexpected, saying executive producer Cameron Roach contacted her with an idea that excited the writers, who considered Steph an "iconic character". Welch did confess to initial concerns about bringing the famously un-PC character into a more sensitive era, joking that Steph's wilder days might be behind her.
Viewers Declare 2026 Has "Peaked Already"
The reaction on social media platform X was immediate and ecstatic. One fan proclaimed, "Steph Haydock is back on Waterloo Road…2026 might just have peaked already." Another simply declared, "STEPH HAYDOCK QUEEN," while others celebrated the dynamic with Jack Rimmer.
Comments praised the show's evolution since its revival, with one viewer noting they had "binge watched the first 4 eps already" and that each series has improved. The new series also features Lindsey Coulson continuing in her role as headteacher Dame Stella Drake, a character she has played since 2024.
With the full series available for streaming, the return of one of Waterloo Road's most memorable and chaotic personalities has undoubtedly given the 2026 series a massive boost, proving that some school legends never really leave the playground.
