'Waterloo Road' star Naveed Choudhry: 'I was bullied at school'

Waterloo Road actor Naveed Choudhry has revealed that he was bullied while at school.

The star portrays bully Tariq in the BBC One drama, but explained that he was on the opposite end of childhood taunting as a youngster.

Speaking about playing a teenager despite actually being 26 years old, he told What's On TV: "It's great because Tariq is a bully and I was on the receiving end so it's like I'm reliving my school days without being bullied.

"I think it has helped me get past a few issues I had at school. But it's great putting on a school uniform at 26 and thinking, 'I still look 16!'"

On giving advice to people being bullied themselves, he said: "Getting it off your chest always helps. If you can find a teacher you're on a level with, someone you can talk to as a friend, then definitely take that opportunity. It's the same with any issue - a problem shared is a problem halved. It's true."

Talking about Tariq's return to the series this week and whether he is trying to change following his exclusion, he added: "He is, but he's caught in a situation he can't get out of. I think Tariq is misunderstood. He's a clever boy, but he always gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Whenever he tries to be good, it ends up backfiring. Sometimes it's easier to act up to the label people put on you than show them who you really are."

Choudhry's Waterloo Road co-star Philip Martin Brown recently revealed that his character Grantly will soon have an "emotional" storyline.

Waterloo Road returns on Wednesday, February 22 at 8pm on BBC One.