Fans of the long-running BBC school drama Waterloo Road are in a frenzy, declaring that the new year has already reached its high point following the surprise return of a legendary character. The show's seventeenth series launched on Monday 6th January 2026, with the first episode airing on BBC One and the full eight-episode run dropping on iPlayer.
A Triumphant Comeback for an Iconic Character
Loose Women panellist Denise Welch has made a major comeback to the series, reprising her iconic role as supply teacher Steph Haydock. Welch originally played the hilariously un-PC character from the show's inception in 2006 through to 2010. Her return marks a significant moment for the drama, which was revived in 2021 after originally concluding in 2015.
Speaking about her return, Welch expressed her thrill, noting, "I'm thrilled to see the return of Steph to Waterloo Road. 15 years older, but certainly not wiser." She teased that the character remains "eternally hopeful" and unmarried, and hinted at a dynamic reunion with former castmate Jason Merrells, who plays Jack Rimmer. "Steph and Jack go back a long way, but will they move forward?! You'll have to wait and see," she said.
Fan Reaction: "2026 Has Peaked Already"
The audience response on social media platform X was immediate and ecstatic. One viewer proclaimed, "Steph Haydock is back on Waterloo Road…2026 might just have peaked already," capturing the mood of many. Others celebrated the character's enduring spirit, with one fan writing, "See Steph hasn’t changed still making her own rules!"
The excitement extended to Welch's on-screen reunion, with fans passionately posting messages like, "JACK RIMMER AND STEPH HAYDOCK REUNION YES YES YES." The general consensus hailed the move as a masterstroke for the show's narrative, with one fan stating, "Steph Haydock returning to #WaterlooRoad might be the best thing the show could’ve done."
Navigating a New Era for a Classic Character
Welch admitted that the call from executive producer Cameron Roach to return was "quite random and quite bizarre." She revealed initial concerns about bringing Steph into a more politically correct modern television landscape. "I loved the idea of coming back, but I also realise that we are in 2025 and the days of Steph grabbing the headmaster and taking him into the women's toilets for a s**g are probably done," she told press.
She was reassured, however, by the writers' excitement and their desire to preserve the essence of the "iconic character." Welch was adamant that she did not want to "ruin people's memories" by presenting a sanitised version of Steph, indicating that the character's signature spark remains intact.
The new series also features other established characters, including Lindsey Coulson, who continues in her role as headteacher Dame Stella Drake, a part she has played since 2024. The return of Steph Haydock adds a potent dose of nostalgia and comedic chaos to the current ensemble, promising a compelling blend of old and new for dedicated viewers.
All eight episodes of Waterloo Road's latest series are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
