TELL US WHAT HAPPENED TO STEPH AT THE END OF LAST SERIES.
She was threatened with the sack - again, because Jack thought she was lying about Davina and Brett having a relationship. Davina eventually came clean, so Steph lived to fight another day!

DO YOU THINK STEPH HAS CHANGED AT ALL THIS SERIES?
She is back to the old Steph! I think she lost some of her humour in the last series, but it's back!

STEPH HAS NEW RESPONSIBILITIES THIS TERM - IS SHE HAPPY ABOUT THIS, AND HOW WILL SHE COPE?
Steph is happy to have her own office, but that is more important to her than her actual duties. I don't imagine for one minute she has thought much about her approach to her Pastoral Care role.

DOES STEPH STILL TRY AND SEDUCE JACK THIS SERIES, OR HAS SHE ADMITTED DEFEAT IN THE SHAPE OF DAVINA?
She has accepted Jack and Davina's relationship, but is still happy to have any crumbs from Jack's table, so she will wait until he is drunk or depressed and zoom in

WILL STEPH EVER FIND TRUE LOVE, WHO DO YOU THINK SHE SHOULD OFFER HER AFFECTIONS TO?
I hope she does, but not while we're filming! It would spoil the character for me if she became a couple. I'd love her to have lots of affairs tho'!

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE THEME OF INCLUSION IN THIS SERIES, SHOULD PUPILS WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS AND ABILITIES BE EDUCATED WITHIN THE MAINSTREAM SYSTEM?
Absolutely, as long as there is someone to assist the child during school hours. The other children's education should not suffer. I love Steph's ignorance regarding Asperger's Syndrome, and I'm sure there are many teachers who don't have the patience to deal with children like Karla.

DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TELEVISION PROGRAMMES TO ILLUSTRATE THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY WITHIN EDUCATION?
Yes, but we must remember that this is a drama series and not a documentary.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORYLINE THIS SERIES?
I love the musical from a fun, camp point of view, and I love working with Chris Geere, who plays Matt Wilding, the new drama teacher.

WHAT DID YOU DO BETWEEN SERIES?
I went straight into pantomime, and then worked on Loose Women until we started filming Waterloo Road again.

ANY OTHER PROJECTS LINED UP FOR AFTER WATERLOO ROAD?
I am meant to start Loose Women again the day we finish, but I'll need a little break first. Then at Christmas, Tim (Tim Healy), and I are going on a cruise.

WHAT ARE STEPH'S BEST QUALITIES?
She's kind and although she's a gossip I think she does genuinely stand by those she likes and respects. I love her sense of humour and the fact she keeps trying even if the situation is completely hopeless.

AND WORST?
The worst things about Steph are she is a hopeless French teacher. She drinks too much and she is a gossip. All fun to play though!

STEPH SEEMS DESPERATE FOR PEOPLE TO LIKE HER - WHY?
Steph Haydock is desperately lonely. The staff room gossip is the highlight of her day.

IF YOU WERE ALLOWED TO TAKE A MEMENTO FROM WATERLOO ROAD WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE?
If I was able to take a prop or item as a memento from Waterloo Road I think I would probably take one of the mini Eiffel towers. There are a couple of these in Steph’s French classroom. Or perhaps one of her hideous tops

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
To be honest I don't get a lot of spare time but I have a horse called Lady so I ride her.

HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE?
I ride my horse when I can which is good exercise. But I suppose I also keep in shape by being a busy working mum.

DO YOU HAVE ANY LONG TERM GOALS FOR STEPH?
Well I do know I don't want Steph to actually find love, as that would be the end, but I would love her to be constantly searching for love. It sounds a bit mean really but what I would love is for her to have a string of disastrous dates. She should move on from Jack Rimmer although she will always have a sparkle for him, and try her luck with some other men - but all of them inappropriate. But all I know for Steph in the future is I definitely don't want to see her settled. I also enjoy the fact Steph is jokey and light hearted so I would always wants Steph to keep that side to her character. She gets some great dialogue and it would be a shame if she got too serious.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN LONG TERM GOALS OR AMBITIONS?
Well of course this would be in an ideal future. But I would love to do a film with: Judi Dench, Julie Walters, Helen Mirren and with June Whitfield playing my mother!! People have said for years June and I have a similar look!

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Tynemouth and Monkseaton near Whitley Bay.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Which is perfect for filming Waterloo Road. Near enough to get to work easily but it's not completely on my doorstep.