The new star of the school drama reveals five secrets from the set

1

My character is Martin Evershed, the new deputy head teacher at Ackley Bridge school, under head teacher Mandy Carter (pictured, with Martin), played by Jo Joyner. My first day on set really felt like my first day at school. I cowered in the corner of the green room, worried the actors playing the pupils would give me a hard time or ridicule me. But they didn’t.

2 When I’m playing Martin, I’m thinking of an inspirational teacher called Mr Keane from my school days in Manchester. He turned me from class clown to keen student and helped me pass my GCSE English. I’ve tried to bottle Mr Keane’s enthusiasm and encouragement with the kids in the classroom, and pass on his spirit and passion.

3

Filming in a real school, a disused one in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was a big plus – it’s very easy to imagine you’re a proper teacher when you’re eating lunch in a genuine school canteen, served by people in white hats standing behind a big, stainless steel counter!

4

Initially we thought Martin would dress like a stereotypical teacher – corduroy jacket with leather elbow pads. But we decided to make him trendier – tweeds, paisley and some very jazzy ties. And when teaching he lets rip. Playing the cantata Carmina Burana at full blast in a classroom was a real high. The lights were off, the windows were open – it’s a wonder we didn’t get complaints from the neighbours!

5

Getting through the assembly scenes took a while. It only took one youngster’s phone to unexpectedly go off – which happened – for the whole scene to need re-filming.

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