EastEnders legend joins Waterloo Road cast despite rumours of a return to BBC soap

Waterloo Road has signed up an EastEnders legend for its next series amid rumours that she could return for the soap's 40th anniversary next year.

Lindsey Coulson, who won the 2000 British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance for her role as Carol Jackson on the BBC programme, has begun filming for the next series of the comprehensive school drama. Waterloo Road first broadcast on BBC One in 2006, and series 15 is set to air in early 2025.

In the show, she will be playing the new headteacher as Jason Manford departs as Mr Savage. The 64-year-old actress is said to be "thrilled" to be joining Waterloo Road as the headteacher role is "great" for her. A source told The Sun: "Lindsey's thrilled to be joining the show. She's playing the new head teacher and it's a great role for her. The show is really going from strength to strength. She's a real powerhouse actress and is having a great time."

The news comes as fans hope that Lindsey will return to EastEnders when the soap marks its 40th anniversary next year. She last starred in the soap in 2015, riding on Jim Branning's old motorbike while looking for a new life away from Walford. Fans are also speculating that Ross Kemp is set to make a huge return to EastEnders, 25 years after his exit, for the anniversary next year. Earlier this month, Ross was grilled on This Morning about a potential comeback.

But despite Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary probing the star, he simply replied: "I can tell you nothing." However, it has now been claimed he will be joining in the 40th celebrations. Since leaving the soap, Ross has hosted a series of hard-hitting factual documentaries. A source told The Sun: "Ross is joining in celebrations by hosting his own EastEnders documentary. He will interview stars past and present about why it is so good and how important it is. EastEnders will always have a special place in his heart and he's really excited."

Speaking about his time on the show, Ross said on This Morning: "I am very proud of the show celebrating 40 years and I wouldn't have had a career, good or bad without it." He added: "I absolutely love it and I still support it and I would if I had come from Coronation Street or Emmerdale, well I was in Emmerdale Farm briefly before but yeah, I am proud the show is celebrating the 40 years and I will continue to support it as long as I can."

He added: "I can say no more than that." EastEnders producer Chris Clenshaw previously hinted the show's 40th anniversary could feature the return of classic characters. When asked if some iconic characters from the past could return to EastEnders, the producer told The Sun: "Maybe. It all depends on the story and where the characters are. But it has to come from character, it has to come from story."

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