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Bolton Henry Smilie is a former pupil at Waterloo Road.

When Bolton arrived at Waterloo Road, his 'don't need no education, cos I already know it all' philosophy, meant he spent so much time in the cooler, the teachers considered charging him rent. Okay, so he was never Einstein, but by the time Bolton got to sixth form (yes, he even stayed on for an extra two years), he was a different pupil and actually at home there.

Of course, a large part of the draw to stay was Bolton's success at charming Waterloo Road's sizable female population. His past conquests include Janeece, Michaela and Sambuca.

When Bolton left Waterloo Road, he became a soldier and joined the army. He returned in Series 8 Episode 16 whilst running away from the Military Police after going AWOL from the war in Afghanistan.

Series 3

Bolton is first introduced as a class clown who cares little for the rules. At the beginning of series three, he runs a fight club which Paul Langley is desperate to join. At first, Bolton rejects him, but they soon become best friends.

Determined to turn a group of troublesome boys around, Eddie Lawson take Bolton, Paul and some other boys on a wilderness camp. They boys are split into two teams: one lead by Bolton and the other lead by Paul.

Paul and his team work together, but Bolton tries to do everything himself. While climbing on some rocks, Bolton falls and hits his head knocking himself out. When Eddie finally finds him, a more venerable side to Bolton is shown as he is genuinely scared.

In another attempt to curb the boy's behaviour, Rachel Mason organises a trip to prison for the boys. Bolton can't wait and brags to everyone about his dad's easy life in prison. While at the prison, Bolton tries to prove he is "hard" by taking possession of drugs. When the boys are later searched, Bolton is locked up for being found with drugs.

While in his cell, Bolton breaks down. When it is then revealed that it just a theatre company and not a real prison, an angry Bolton decides to drop out of school, but when Rachel reminds him that she has a DVD of him crying, he decides to stay on.

When a fire beaks out at Waterloo Road, Bolton, Davina Shackleton and some other pupils are locked in a corridor with no way out; however, Bolton breaks down the door and heroically rescues Davina who has collapsed. A usually confident Bolton is understandably quite shaken after this event and is comforted by his mum Candice.

Series 4

When Bolton returns for another year at Waterloo Road, he and Paul quickly make an enemy of their new classmate Earl Kelly; however, they don't realise what they have got themselves into until Earl pulls a gun on them.

Earl threatens and controls them with his gun and lets them know who the new boss is. Paul wants to tell someone about the gun, but Bolton doesn't. Paul writes Miss Mason a note anyway and when the school evacuation begins Earl gives the gun to his younger brother Denzil who is arrested for the gun.

When Earl later shoots and kills Maxine Barlow, Bolton and Paul realise that if they had been honest from the start, none of this would have happened. They finally tell the whole truth and Denzil is freed.

When new P.E teacher Rob Cleaver starts a boxing club at school, he sees huge potential in Bolton. He and Bolton soon begin training everyday as Rob believes that Bolton could become a professional.

The whole school get behind Bolton before his big match as they need something to cheer them up after Maxine's death. Rob is more desperate to win than Bolton and gives an unaware Bolton performance enhancing drugs. Bolton wins the fight, but when the drugs are discovered, Rob is suspended and Bolton decides to quit boxing.

During this year, Bolton also begins dating Janeece Bryant. Initially, things go well and Bolton likes that Janeece is unique and different.

However, things change as Janeece (whose aspiration was to be a model) gets a breast implant. Bolton originally enjoys flaunting Janeece's new body, but he is soon flooded with jealousy over all the newfound attention she receives. The pair split and Bolton moves on to Michaela White.

Series 5

When Bolton returns for his final year of school, there are huge changes at Waterloo Road, including the arrival of the John Foster pupils.

When Amy Porter sets her sights on Bolton, she and her best friend Siobhan Mailey construct a complicated plan to get the two alone together. When Bolton lets her know he's not interested, Amy tells Ms Campbell that Bolton wanted to try to rape her. Kim Campbell, a sexual assault victim, knows how it feels to not be believed and takes Amy's word.

Soon, the incident is the centre of gossip and Bolton's relationship suffers, which soon leads to Michaela dumping him. When Amy finally admits the truth, Michaela requests Bolton's forgiveness, but Bolton is enraged at her disbelief and ends their relationship for good.

When Paul and Bolton steal Danielle Harker's ethanol, they believe they have discovered that it has the same effects as alcohol. They quickly begin selling it to students and make huge profit from it. However, Danielle collapses at school and is rushed to the hospital, leading to the boys being forced to fess up and their money-making scheme comes to an end.

Whilst he is skiving off school, Bolton meets Sambuca Kelly, who is having work experience at the local sports shop. As she has had a crush on Bolton for some time, she attempts to impress him by stealing some football shorts he wanted.

Caught, they manage to flee the scene and spend the day together by the river. They become closer as they share stories about themselves and the two share an eventual kiss. Returning to school, Bolton ignores Sambuca as he is worried about his friends' opinions regarding her young age.

To make Bolton jealous, Sambuca asks his best friend Paul to prom. Just before the prom, Paul agrees to switch dates with Bolton because he knows Bolton really wants to go with Sambuca. Bolton and Sambuca then are coupled for prom and the two win the title of prom king and queen.

Waterloo Road Reunited

Bolton attend Michaela's reunion party at Janeece's house where he is shown to be a successful rapper and radio DJ. He talks with Michaela and is proud of her for making something of her life.

Michaela then tells him of her plan to move to Dubai and that she needs a husband to do so, so she asks Bolton to marry her. Bolton is shocked and refuses, and an angry Michaela storms upstairs. When Michaela returns, she is holding a baby and proclaims that it is Bolton's son. Bolton's mum advises him to get a paternity test and Bolton becomes even angrier that Michaela's baby, Kyle, is not his.

Bolton then begins a relationship with Danielle and the two plan a luxury holiday together. When his best friend Paul attempts suicide, Bolton cancels the holiday which angers Danielle and causes the two to split up.

It is only when Michaela marries Philip Ryan and announces she is moving to Dubai that Bolton realises that after everything he still loves her. He catches her just before she leaves and the two get back together.

Series 7

In Series 7 Episode 17 at 21:31, it is seen on a locker briefly saying: "Bolton waz ere!" suggesting it was the old locker of Bolton.

Series 8

In Series 8 Episode 16, Bolton comes back to the school to visit Tom Clarkson. When he arrives, it is shown that he left music behind and is now a soldier in the army. He first breaks up an altercation between Jack MacAlister and Barry Barry before being welcomed by Tom. Grantly Budgen says to Bolton in his experience "pupils rearing their former teachers usually means trouble". Bolton gets angry at Grantly after this, insisting that he's not in any trouble.

Bolton is given a tour of the school by Rhiannon Salt, who is really taken by him and decides to join the Army, but later changes her mind.

Bolton is asked to give a speech to the sixth formers by Lorraine Donnegan which he agrees to do; however, he is very nervous and the speech is a disaster.

Meanwhile, Barry Barry steals Bolton's rucksack and finds a gun inside. When Bolton notices his bag is missing, he and Rhiannon search the school for it. Rhiannon eventually finds the gun when she sees Barry with it. She returns the bag to Bolton, but neither of them know that Barry stole it.

Bolton is later seen stood outside the school but running back inside when a military police car drives past. This is seen by Daniel Chalk, who informs Tom. After running back inside, Bolton searches his bag for his gun, but notices that it's missing. He asks Rhiannon, who says that Barry must’ve taken it.

Tom questions Bolton, who eventually admits that he is on the run from the military police because he ran away from Afghanistan when he saw his friend being killed.

Bolton gets the gun back from Barry, but then he holds Grantly's class hostage. Bolton slams Grantly against the window, but in the end, he is taken away by the military police when Grantly convinces him to hand himself over.

Quotes

  • "Get off me! Who d'you think you are?!" (first line, to Eddie Lawson)

  • Bolton: "You just started a prison riot, miss!"
  • Rachel Mason: "I don't think I did, Bolton!"

  • Stuart Hordley: "So. Is there anything you want to ask me about the job?"
  • Bolton: "Is there ever a chance of overtime?"

  • "Maybe you just want us to think you're a bit gangster, instead of the tosser that you are." (to Earl about him having a gun)

  • "That was for Earl, man! That's what I shoulda done from day one!" (after punching Marley)


  • Bolton: "I wouldn't let what people think get to you, mate."
  • Sambuca: "Says the most popular lad in school."
  • Bolton: "Yeah, but...you've got your own thing going on, innit. It's cool, I like it."

  • Bolton: "Anyway, this is all over a few turns of phrases, man."
  • Michaela: "What, like 'thick bimbo'?"
  • Bolton: "Nah, like 'slapper'."
  • Michaela: "I'll give you slapper-" [slaps Bolton]

  • "It looks like corned beef." (Bolton's reaction to Lauren's birthmark)

  • "Nah. I'm here with my girl, man."

  • Sambuca: "Everybody's looking.
  • Bolton: "Yeah, it's cos you look amazing!"
  • Sambuca: "Do you really think that?"
  • Bolton: "Yeah!" (final line of his regular stint)


  • "Your flight'd be leaving now." (final line in Waterloo Road Reunited)

  • "Eya. Does Mr Clarkson still work here?" (first line upon his return in Series 8)

  • "I am not going back there! Not you or anybody else is going to make me!" (Bolton right before holding Grantly Budgen's class hostage after running away from military service in Afghanistan.)

  • "Oh, shut up!" (final line)
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