Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas had a completely different career when he discovered the hit BBC One series was returning with a bang.
The former Emmerdale actor had retreated away from the acting spotlight since leaving the ITV show in 2018 and instead turned his hand to working in his restaurant.
However, after just three years, Adam announced the shock closure of The Spinn in Gatley but not before he received a call asking him to meet with Cameron Roach, the producer of Waterloo Road.
The 34-year-old is joining forces with his former co-star and on-screen wife, Katie Griffiths who plays Chlo Charles, as well as Angela Griffin as Kim Campbell.
Recalling the phone call, he explained: "I was washing pots in my restaurant!"
Adam went on to reveal that after chatting to Cameron, he said he'd have to "speak to his agent", although he didn't have one a the time, before accepting the role.
Discussing his return to the show, Adam added: "We picked up where we left off, it was crazy, we've not seen each other for so long.
"It was quite a weird experience but it was amazing, I got all teary-eyed, this show and these people mean so much to me, especially seeing Angela and Katie again, it meant the world to us, not only being back on the show but being back in the same room and working together again."
On-screen, Adam is joined by his son Teddy as well as his niece Scarlett who plays Chlo and Donte's children Tommy and Izzy - a touching nod to Chlo's mum Izzie Redpath (Jill Halfpenny) and her fiance Tom Clarkson (Jason Done).
On working with his family, he added: "It was quite easy for me to relate, Donte and Chlo were kids when they were in school, they had Izzie back in Waterloo Road and now they've got Tommy.
"They've had their ups and downs along the way but where we pick up on the first episode, they're one big happy family.
"It's so nice, my niece is playing my daughter and my son is playing my son, it's just that extra bit special."
Meanwhile, Katie joked: "It's literally a Thomas invasion," before continuing: "Adam is absolutely right but it just felt, well, not completely normal and natural because we're on a set but it helped massively with them being family.
"The dynamic was really simple and natural, it was a bit like coming into that but everyone was so friendly and nice and their relationship is so lovely and warm that it did feel like a family.
"The fact that Teddy and Scarlett are absolute stars in the making and they steal most of the scenes anyway so it was fine, I got to sit back and watch them act."
As a new school year begins in Stockport, Manchester, the pupils and staff at Waterloo Road will be adjusting to the ever-changing society including teenage homelessness, the cost of living crisis and the breakdown in families.
Waterloo Road airs at 8pm on Tuesday, January 3, on BBC One with the full series available on BBC iPlayer.
