What!? Ackley Bridge science teacher Rashid Hyatt proposes to Kaneez Paracha this week. But is the school's formidable dinner lady ready to tie the knot?
It's safe to say it's been a tough few weeks for everyone at Ackley Bridge following the car accident that killed popular teen Missy Booth. With teachers and pupils realising 'life's too short', it seems many are seriously thinking about what the future holds.
After finding love with science teacher Rashid, Ackley Bridge dinner lady Kaneez Paracha gets the shock of her life, this week, when he proposes to her in the supermarket. And Kaneez surprises herself when she accepts!
Kaneez wastes no time looking at wedding dresses – but when her family and friends throw an impromptu engagement party, Kaneez gets cold feet and declares the wedding cancelled!
Meanwhile, attendance is down among the Asian students at Ackley Bridge and, when head Mandy Carter (Jo Joyner) says she wants to visit the community to find out why the kids are skipping school, Kaneez thinks Mandy could use her help. Anything to get away from Rashid!
But as news reaches Rashid (Tony Jayawardena) about Kaneez being verbally abused on the outing by some youths, he confronts them and the altercation goes viral. Knowing he’s done wrong, Rashid tells Mandy he wants to resign.
The incident prompts Rashid and Kaneez to have a heart-to-heart about their relationship – and Rashid reassures her they can stay happily ‘unmarried’!
Later, as the ‘Dads Vs Lads’ cricket match gets underway, Kaneez interrupts the event with a passionate speech about why Ackley Bridge needs teachers like Rashid. Impressed, Mandy urges Kaneez to apply for a job as student support officer. Will she go for it?
"Kaneez explores an area this series she's never really thought about and that’s her career," reveals Sunetra Sarker, who plays her. "Now Kaneez can drive she feels she's got the confidence to try a few things.
"Being a mum, though, is still at the heart of everything she does. Without daughters Nas and Razia she probably wouldn’t have the strength to stretch herself the way she has."
Ackley Bridge continues Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
