With more mad-cap adventures, high-jinx plans and scams in store at Ackley Bridge and on the estate, the series will pick up with Johnny (Ryan Dean, The Gentleman), Kayla (Robyn Cara, Life) and Fizza (Yasmin Al Khudhairi, Hilda) navigating the second half of the school year.

Drama abounds for Kayla, as her rebellious younger brother Kyle (Adam Little, Years and Years) joins the school as the new troublemaker fresh out of juvie, while her Queen Bee popular sister Marina (Megan Morgan, Hollyoaks) finds life is getting more complicated by the day.

Life is even more chaotic for the adults, with Headteacher Martin (Rob James Collier, Downton Abbey) finding his role under the spotlight as Ackley’s new hotshot teacher Asma (Laila Zaidi, Benidorm) immediately ruffles some feathers as she joins the staff. The beating heart of the school, Kaneez (Subetra Sarker, Informer), is back and she’s faced with her toughest challenge yet, the new boy Kyle. Meanwhile Sue (Charlie Hardwick, Emmerdale) tries her best to wheedle a career change from Ken.

In a year already teeming with love triangles, catfishing, compulsive liars and one joyous yet failed gypsy wedding, there’s still plenty of time for more mischief before the school bell rings for the summer holidays.

Executive producer George Ormond commented: “We’re delighted to be back for another series in our rowdy school and our left-behind town.  It’s been a lot of fun coming up with series 5 and we can’t wait to share it.”

Ackley Bridge series five will be produced by The Forge and will film in Halifax from November 2021, with Ashley Walters (Top Boy) making his directorial debut.