Jason Manford joins cast of BBC show Waterloo Road

Actor and comedian Jason Manford will join the cast of the BBC series Waterloo Road when it returns later this year.

The Mancunian actor said it was "an absolute treat" to be joining the show "right here in my home city".

Manford will play the role of head teacher Steve Savage, and expects the character to "ruffle a few feathers along the way".

The 42-year-old said he and his family "binged the show during lockdown".

He added: "It's such a brilliant, iconic show, so I'm dead proud to now be part of its history.

"Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher and now, becoming a head teacher, I know I would have been terrible!"

The BBC said while Manford's new role would leave fans questioning the future of current head teacher Kim Campbell - played by Angela Griffin - viewers would have to wait to see how the storyline played out.

Waterloo Road's current series concluded on Monday night, with series 14 coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.

Cameron Roach, executive producer of Waterloo Road, said he was "thrilled" Manford was joining the cast, describing him as "a phenomenal comic actor" who had "fully embraced the tone and spirit of the show".

He added: "We can't wait for the audience to meet Steve Savage and his son Billy.

"As with all of our adult cast, Jason has been an inspiring and approachable mentor to our younger cast and crew; we love that a new generation of Northern talent are able to learn their craft alongside brilliant household names.

"The legacy of Waterloo Road goes from strength to strength."