Waterloo Road Alex Walkinshaw goes back to school!

Alex Walkinshaw dicusses leaving The Bill and joining the Waterloo Road staff...

You play Jez Diamond the new PE teacher. What can you tell us about him?
"Jez is a really nice chap who really wants to please. He loves his wife Sian [Holby City’s Jaye Jacobs] and he also loves his kids from a previous marriage."

New head teacher Michael Byrne used to date Jez’s new wife Sian; does this cause any problems?
"Jez is aware of the history between Sian and Michael and, being a bloke, he always keeps one eye on the opposition! As the series goes on Jez does make some slip-ups, but in a loveable way. He worships Sian and is devoted to her."

How is his relationship with his two children?
"Because he’s recently happily married he’s shied away form his kids a bit. Jez tends to ignore problems and put them to one side until they get too big and he has to deal with them."

What’s he like as a teacher?
"I think he’s a good teacher and the kids like him. He loves sport and thinks that kids should just have the opportunity, whatever their ability, to just go out and do it. As a former professional sportsman he is committed to wanting the best and he brings that into his classes. I think he’d love to have a school full of top student athletes - but that’s just not the way it is!"

Have you missed your police uniform?
"No I haven’t missed the uniform - wearing tracksuits and trainers all day, every day is fantastic! I do miss the people but we still stay in touch, and everyone who works on Waterloo Road has been really welcoming and I feel part of the team."