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Describe Eddie and his role at Waterloo Road

Eddie is the Deputy Head and a Maths teacher.

How would you describe Eddie as a teacher?

Eddie is a very good, inspirational teacher with a genuine passion for the job.

What three words would you use to describe Eddie?

I'd describe Eddie as tough but fair.

Does Eddie have a love interest?

Eddie falls in love with a new character early in the series, but the course of true love doesn't always run smoothly for Eddie.

Which character at Waterloo Road does Eddie relate best to?

Eddie doesn't interact much with the teachers, as Deputy Head he works with everyone but generally stands apart.

What school did you go to?

Thistley Hough High School, Stoke-on-Trent.

What sort of student were you?

As a student I was probably the same as most people. I was quite conscientious.

What did you like most about school?

The school plays and drama classes. I also had lots of good friends.

What did you like least about school?

At school, the subject I least liked was maths. It wasn't that I couldn't do it, but it was the least friendly department. The maths head was very Edwardian in style and very strict.

What was your first ever job?

My first ever job was a very short-lived stint, Clearing Table at the Bank of England. I lasted about an hour before I walked out and didn't even take the £1.74 owed to me.

What was your first professional acting role?

My first professional acting role was on Mutiny On The Bounty with Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins, plus Philip Martin Brown who is also in Waterloo Road.

What role are you best known for?

I am best known as Tony in Men Behaving Badly.

What have you enjoyed most about recording Waterloo Road?

What I've really enjoyed most about recording Waterloo Road are the cast. They are a really talented, fun group of people.

What did your school reports say about you?

I can't remember what my school reports said about me, too long ago!

Did you get good exam results?

I did get good exam results, grade ones across all subjects.

Did you stay for A levels?

I did stay on for A levels but by then I had a non-conditional place at the Guildhall, so that was my driving force.

Did you go to college – if so, what did you study?

I studied at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

What school uniform did you wear?

At school, my uniform was grey, with a bottle green jumper and a purple tie with gold on it.

Would you like to teach?

Don't think I could teach. No, not for me.

Have you any regrets about your school days?

I don't have any regrets about my school days.

Did you have an inspiring teacher?

I had two inspiring teachers. Sheila Steel who was my drama and English teacher. Also, Brian Hadley who was Director of the Stoke Schools Theatre group.

What was your favourite subject?

My favourite subjects were Drama and English, but I enjoyed most subjects – the sciences, technical drawing etc.

What was your worst subject?

My worst subject was maths. It wasn't that I couldn't do it, but I just didn't enjoy it.

Do you keep in touch with any school friends?

Unfortunately I don't keep in touch with any school friends.

What are you hoping to do after finishing filming the series?

After filming finishes I am going on holiday.

How do you keep in shape?

I generally keep in shape because I have lots of energy.

Where were you born?

I was born in Stafford.

Where do you live now?

I currently live in London.

What was your worst school dinner?

My worst school dinner was liver, plus a thing we called brick. It was a dessert – I have no idea what it was, but it was very sweet. That was a bad combination, liver followed by brick.

Do you still play sport now?

I enjoy scuba diving and clay pigeon shooting, things like that.

Were you often naughty?

I was often naughty at school.

What was the worst punishment you were served? Did it happen regularly?

The worst punishment I received was the cane – six strokes, three on each hand. Sometimes twice in one day.

Have you ever been back to visit your school – if so, what was it like?

I've never been back to visit my school, I've driven past it - it hadn't changed at all, but looked like it had shrunk.

Have you picked up a better understanding of teaching since playing Eddie?

Since playing Eddie I don't think I've picked up a better understanding of teaching – I think most teachers would agree that it's too complex a subject to pick up in a short time.