DESCRIBE ROGER ASPINALL AND HIS ROLE AT WATERLOO ROAD:
Roger Aspinall is an ex pupil of the school who is now a very successful and wealthy businessman. He has decided to invest several million pounds in the school in order to turn it into a state of the art Academy. In exchange for the new facilities however he is looking for a change in attitude in the pupils and some of the teachers. He is very "hands on" in his approach and is not afraid to speak his mind.

DESCRIBE ROGER IN 3 WORDS.
Ruthless. Determined. Opinionated

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT ROGER?
He is passionate about what he believes and is generally acting in what he believes is the best interests of the school and the pupils. He had a horrible time when he was a pupil at Waterloo Road because he was dyslexic and as dyslexia was not that well documented in those days; he was constantly being told he was lazy or "thick". Nevertheless he has overcome this to become a very successful businessman. He is driven and determined and doesn't suffer fools gladly. I like his desire to "give something back" to his community. He is also incredibly wealthy - which is fun to play. I like the suits and being chauffeured about in a £210,000 Bentley! Also playing a character who can be arrogant and isn't afraid to hurt people's feelings is quite enjoyable. Sometimes playing nasty is fun.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT ROGER?
His bloody-mindedness gets a bit tiring after a while and he certainly needs to spend more time relaxing. Also he needs to get his priorities right when it comes to solving problems closer to home. Initially he seems much less interested in dealing with problems with his own son than with the school. I guess he is so keen to "prove" himself he has lost sight of the more important things.

WOULD YOU LIKE ROGER IF YOU MET HIM?
He is a bit "in your face" for me. I think I would find the opinionated nature of him a bit draining and the constant desire to "be right and get his way", off-putting.

WHAT ARE ROGER'S LIFE VALUES AND DO THESE DIFFER FROM YOUR OWN?
Roger is very driven - both in his business and with the school. I think he has spent so much time proving himself a success that he wants everyone to be able to do the same. He is also a very controlling person - which if I'm honest I think I am too! I am also quite a driven and determined person but I would like to think I'm more open than Roger. Certainly since becoming a dad myself I realise that there are many more important things in life than work!

HOW ARE YOU SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT TO ROGER?
Like I say, like Roger, I am very motivated, but my goals aren't the same. I love to work but I am not driven by money in the same way that Roger is. He wants all the trophies of success - the car, the big house, even his name in big letters over the school. I'm not as flashy.

DOES ROGER HAVE LOVE INTEREST?
Roger's wife died of cancer quite recently so he is not involved with anyone at the moment.

WHICH CHARACTER AT WATERLOO ROAD DOES ROGER RELATE TO BEST AND WHY?
Initially it certainly seems to be Andrew Treneman - he is serious about his work and has a strong belief in discipline - which Roger absolutely agrees with. I think he views Andrew as someone with a similar work ethic, and he is also ambitious.

ROGER IS A MULTI MILLIONAIRE - IF YOU HAD AS MUCH MONEY AS ROGER HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT?
I would love to have my own swimming pool - I am a swim freak and I go (if I can) 4 times a week. The idea of walking down to my own pool in the morning would be lovely. I'd quite like a home cinema too! But If I was as rich as Roger I would probably buy Manchester City a new striker, and a left sided midfield player - ideally Shaun Wright Phillips back from Chelsea. I have been a City for fan for 35 years and am still a season ticket holder despite living in London. If I was super-rich I might be one of those blokes who throws all his money at the football club he loves. It nearly always ends in tears (like most things with City) but I don't think I'd be able to resist!

WHAT CAR DOES ROGER HAVE? DO YOU DRIVE AND IF SO WHAT?
I am not that into cars but I have to say being driven about in the Bentley is quite a treat. I am really glad they have got Roger a chauffeur as I wouldn't want the responsibility of driving it in and out of the school gates - apparently it is a limited edition and would cost £210,000 to buy! People who know about cars get very excited about this sort of thing. As for my own car, when we had a baby girl a couple of years ago, I had to trade in my old VW for a 4 door Ford Focus. It's a bit boring but as long as it goes and the CD player is working, I'm happy.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ROGER'S TASTE IE HIS HOUSE ETC?
The house we filmed in actually does have an amazing swimming pool in the basement so obviously I was very jealous of that. I think Roger is a bit too flashy for me - he likes everyone to see how much money he has. I'd like to think my taste would be more subtle.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS ON ARRIVING AT THE WATERLOO ROAD SET?
It smelt like a school and it was cold and echoe-y in the corridors. Also being "on set" is a bit like being at school in that you are meant to be on your best behaviour - which actually makes you want to giggle and be naughty. So in many ways we have all regressed. Also we have all have lunch (and gossip) together in the canteen - I have to say though the food is MUCH better.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL ACTING ROLE?
My first job was in THIS LIFE for BBC - the show became a real CULT classic so it was cool to be a part of it.

WHAT ROLE ARE YOU BEST KNOWN FOR?
That's difficult for me to say but I have been in some memorable programs. I played Deirdre's lawyer in CORONATION STREET when she was sent to prison and there was a huge amount of publicity about that! I also did several episodes of CLOCKING OFF - which was such a great show. Recently I have been in SILENT WITNESS, BODIES and HOTEL BABYLON all for BBC. I have also just recorded a sketch for THE CATHERINE TATE show - which I think will have people coming up to me in the street to talk about! I can't tell you what it's about but it is with Derek Faye ("How Very Dare You"). It was ACE fun - Catherine is amazing!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORYLINE COMING UP AND WHY?
I like the effect Roger has on the teachers at Waterloo Road - particularly getting his own back on Grantly Budgen - who taught Roger when he was at school. Also there is some great emotional stuff between Roger and Brett (his son).

BULLYING IS AN ISSUE IN THIS SERIES. IS ROGER INVOLVED?
I guess in some ways YES - Roger is involved with bullying - even though he is not a pupil, Roger is actually quite a bully by using his wealth and power with the Board of Governors to intimidate some of the teachers!

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN BULLIED?
Luckily, I don't really remember being bullied at school - I had an older brother there which I guess helps!

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A BULLY YOURSELF? IF SO WHAT DO YOU REGRET ABOUT THIS?
When I ran the 6th Form Common Room at school we had control of the tape player, which meant everyone had to listen to the music I liked. Other kids would ask us to play stuff they liked and we usually said no. That just seems really childish now.

WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE A PERSON TO DO IF THEY WERE BULLIED?
Don't suffer in silence. Find someone you trust and tell them. You'd be surprised who you CAN trust in situations like this - even the strictest teacher could become your best ally. Don't be afraid to speak up

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT RECORDING WATERLOO ROAD?
The show has a fantastic cast and everyone made me feel incredibly welcome when we started. We really have a laugh and, as I mentioned earlier, being on set can make you a bit "naughty" and there have been times when we have an attack of the giggles. I don't want to go into details but when Jason Merrells, Jamie Glover and I are working together... There was one occasion when the director shouted "Action!" but Jamie and me were hiding around a corridor corner laughing so much we couldn't come out.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO DO AFTER FINISHING FILMING?
It will be December when we finish so hopefully a few Xmas parties and then lots of time with the family. It makes such a difference when you have your own children and my daughter Eve is getting the idea about who Father Christmas is now so I'll be doing the whole dad routine of leaving carrots for Rudolph etc...

HAVE YOU ANY LONG TERM GOALS OR AMBITIONS?
I love acting and I love going to work. I'm very lucky in that. Every job is different and you never know what's round the corner. I just want to keep on doing it.

HOW DO YOU KEEP IN SHAPE?
I swim. I try to go at least 4 times a week and I have done for the last 15 years or so. I hate the gym but the pool is where I do all my thinking and relax.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Manchester

WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
North London

IF YOU WERE ALLOWED TO TAKE ONE PROP OR PIECE OF COSTUME TO REMIND YOU OF WATERLOO ROAD OR THE CHARACTER WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE?
Can I have the Bentley???!!!

WATERLOO ROAD IS FILMED IN MANCHESTER, ARE YOU ENJOYING LIVING AND WORKING AROUND MANCHESTER?
I love being in Manchester as I still have loads of mates here - and my family too.

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY CULTURE/THEATRE/ART WHILST UP IN THE NORTH WEST?
I usually go to the Cornerhouse. Also The Royal Exchange - I have worked there a few times so I know lots of people - it's a fantastic place. And MCFC of course!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL:
RESTAURANT: I like TAMPOPO for great noodles
BEAUTY SPOT OR LOCATION: City centre is so good for shopping on my days off!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
If I'm not working I look after my two year old girl, Eve.

HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE?
Running after Eve! And swimming.