Is Denise Welch coming back for Waterloo Road series 18? Star sneakily reveals answer
Get ready for more Steph Haydock when Waterloo Road returns
Waterloo Road series 18 could bring in some big changes – and, going by Denise Welch’s social media posts, Steph Haydock as a new teacher is one of them.
Welch reprised her role in the latest series of the BBC school drama, reuniting with Jason Merrells’ Jack Rimmer and causing chaos with her brash, no-filter attitude.
In the penultimate episode, Steph interviewed for a permanent English position. In short, it didn’t go well, thanks to her non-stop flirting with Neil (Neil Fitzmaurice) and inadvertently insulting Coral (Rachel Leskovac).
However, episode 6 gave us good reason to believe we’d see Steph again. Fortunately, after the end of Waterloo Road series 17, it looks like fans are getting what they want.
***Warning: spoilers for Waterloo Road ahead***
Denise Welch confirms Steph’s return in Waterloo Road series 18
In an Instagram post from earlier this month, Welch can be seen standing next to Leskovac outside Waterloo Road.
“It’s a snow day! Miss Haydock and Miss Walker demand that you stay in and binge-watch the new series of Waterloo Road,” producer Lindsay Williams wrote.
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There are two things you should notice. Firstly, they appear to be outside a different building, indicating that series 18 will see Waterloo Road merge with another school (as teased in series 17).
Secondly, as it’s a “snow day”, filming has clearly been taking place over the winter months. We know that series 18 is already in production, so this means Steph is definitely coming back. Hurray!
“It’s great to see you back Steph Haydock it’s like you’ve never been away,” one user commented.
“Great to have Steph back and I can see her and Coral having a friendship,” another theorised.
What will happen to Steph in series 18?
If you’re a longtime Waterloo Road fan, you’ll remember Steph and Jack’s on-off romance. So, will they end up together?
“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,” she teased ahead of the new episodes’ release.
Given her relatively minor role in series 17 (she was only in two episodes), Welch will likely return in a larger capacity next time.
“Looking forward to the inevitable friendship arc with Coral and a Maxine-style relationship with Leoni,” one fan predicted.
“I love her so much, I really hope they play into the depth of her loneliness. She’s always sought out both love and friendship and she’s always been second best to people,” another commented.
Welch also hinted at a deeper arc for Steph, which could be explored in series 18.
“There is going to be a lot of sadness there,” she told Digital Spy.
“It’s difficult to say what happens with this character because I’ve been told not to say too much! But we will certainly see another side of her.”
Read more: Why Waterloo Road fans are convinced Janeece is coming back: ‘They teased this way back’
