[Jarrod]

GREENOCK-BASED TV school drama Waterloo Road could be saved from the axe.

A deal with the BBC is due to run out soon, but it is believed Channel 5 may be interested in taking over the popular series and carrying on at the former Greenock Academy, where it has been filmed for two years.

The news was welcomed by Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil, who initially lobbied for the show to be made here.
Filming is currently under way for the final series, which is due for transmission early next year.

Mr McNeil said: “If Channel 5 take over it would be great news for Inverclyde and for the millions of Waterloo Road fans who were distraught when it was announced that production was stopping.

“The programme has a real association with Inverclyde and has enjoyed great facilities and a warm welcome from the public, so it would be tremendous if filming continued here.”

Channel 5 has previously taken on Neighbours from the BBC and Big Brother from Channel 4, so it has a track record of picking up popular shows.

MSP Mr McNeil said: “There’s no doubt that people are excited about Waterloo Road and want to see it continuing here.

“The opportunity to continue promoting the area in a positive light can only be welcomed.

“Inverclyde has shown it can do the business when it comes to TV and film production.

“Our public services have worked very effectively and efficiently with film and TV productions.”

Waterloo Road is made by Headstrong Pictures for the BBC through BBC Scotland.

Headstrong executive producer, John Griffin, said this week that this will be the last series of Waterloo Road and added: “We plan to give our incredible fanbase a final term they will never forget.”

The Tele asked Waterloo Road to comment on the Channel 5 link, and they said it wasn’t surprising there was speculation about another series.

A spokesperson said: “The last series will finish filming in late August. We are incredibly proud of the show and we can promise fans that it will go out in style with a brilliant 10 episodes this autumn and a final 10 in the new year.”

She added: “There are currently no plans to make any more. It’s not surprising, however, given the show’s huge and loyal fanbase, that there would be speculation that another broadcaster might want to pick it up.

“The show will be missed by many people.”

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/n...el-5-interest/

[Vanessa]

Yes! I like Waterloo Road.

[Headie]

Not here for this unless it moves back to Manchester

[Joelle.]

Nah it has run its course. It's bad enough on BBC atm, can't see it being any better on C5

[Black Dagger]

Why? It's been dead for years.

[reece(:]

I'd be here if they got some of the older characters back.

[HD]

Hope the titles have clouds x

[Samm]

Originally Posted by HD

Hope the titles have clouds x

but yeah why it's been a dead show for years and years

[Firewire]

Originally Posted by HD

Hope the titles have clouds x

[arista]

"it is believed Channel 5" may be interested in taking over


which Ch5 the Desmond one
or the soon to be Viacom USA owned Ch5?

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by arista

"it is believed Channel 5" may be interested in taking over


which Ch5 the Desmond one
or the soon to be Viacom USA owned Ch5?

No idea, Arista. Maybe it's just Ch5HD.

[BigSister]

That could be intresting unless Ch5 decide to show it between CBB in January and BB in June as I cant work out where it would fit on ch5 schedule unless there. But I would love to keep it but maybe refresh it and just have brand new characters no one connected to the last series. I don't really mind Scotland Rochdale etc but I think the mistake to Scotland was keeping some of the old characters (Grantly Tom Maggie etc) and having new ones in Scotland either have all the old ones or just all new ones. That would be the only thing I would change.

[Jamesy]

I wouldn't mind it on C5. The ratings would be pretty good for them.

It's a bit like Big Brother for me. The show concept is pretty dead in the water and it's predictable 90% of the time, but it's still enjoyable.

[Moosething]

It was awful when they moved the whole school to scotland

[armand.kay]

They should completely revamp it with all new characters and move it to London.

[reece(:]

Originally Posted by armand.kay

They should completely revamp it with all new characters and move it to London.

Just a new show altogether really?

[armand.kay]

Originally Posted by reece(:

Just a new show altogether really?

Pretty much
The last season was quit bland and I don't really want any of them returning.

[Joelle.]

Says it all that this is the oldest character left in it

[Marsh.]

What's with C5's obsession with not wanting other channel's shows to die?

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by HD

Hope the titles have clouds x

[JTM45]

They really should just let it die!
It lived for far too long on the BBC. There's gotta' be more worthwhile shows to save than this.....surely ?