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Jerry Preston was an American businessman who was the leader of the United Creation of Sciences (UCOS), a religious organisation with strong creationist, homophobic and anti-abortionist beliefs.

In Series 2, Jerry became a business partner of Roger Aspinall after being intrigued by the potential of Waterloo Road which Aspinall was the benefactor of at the time.

In Series 2 Episode 11 he greeted the Senior Management Team by holding an impromptu prayer in the middle of the school field, surrounded by Roger's builders and journalists. Kim Campbell immediately took a disliking to him, but Jack Rimmer assured her that Jerry's religious ideas would not impact on the students.

While visiting students at lunchtime with Roger, Jerry encountered fossil enthusiast Janeece Bryant (whose name he consistently mispronounced as "Janice") and gave her a book about creationism, which led her to accuse Andrew Treneman of lying to her about the existence of dinosaurs. Jerry then appeared disgusted that the school's science curriculum included evolution and asked Roger to remove it; Aspinall was less enthusiastic about the idea, arguing that Ofsted would have a problem with it, but Jerry said that Ofsted only visited once every two years, so they could run the school how they wanted in the intervening time.

In Series 2 Episode 12 he set up a Bible study group in the mornings which included Janeece and Maxine Barlow. He encouraged them to spread the word of God to the rest of the school, which caught the attention of Andrew, who discovered that Jerry was the CEO of a company which published creationist and homophobic propaganda on their website. He told Jack about this but he rebuffed him, saying Waterloo Road needed their money. However, after Jerry led a speech at the school's memorial service for English teacher Lorna Dickey who had died a few days prior, inappropriately calling Lorna a sinner for having committed suicide, Andrew criticised him in front of everyone for besmirching Lorna's memory, gaining the overwhelming approval of students and staff alike, and causing Janeece and Maxine to question their beliefs.

Roger and Jerry also tried to remove Jack's secretary Davina Shackleton from the school after it was discovered she had had an affair with Roger's teenage son Brett Aspinall before he came to Waterloo Road; Jerry insulted Davina to her face which caused Jack to finally put his foot down and remove Roger and Jerry from the school, saying he didn't need their money after all. Jerry told him he was making a big mistake before leaving his office, never to be seen again.

Behind the scenes[]

Jerry was portrayed by Scotland-based American actor Paul Birchard, known for his one-man theatre adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald plays, during the last two episodes of Series 2.

Quotes[]

  • "Now, son, you don't got to worry about Mr Aspinall's cheque. In fact, why don't you meet him? Would you take him over?" (first line)

  • "This is Jerry Preston down here with the good people of Waterloo Road in England. We've got big things planned here, Lord. And I'm beseeching you to throw us down a blessing on this site. Amen."

  • Jerry: "She is a Jezebel. She has corrupted you and she is corrupting this school."
  • Davina: "Oh for God's sake! I made a mistake!"
  • Jerry: "There's a new dawn coming for this place, Jack. But that can't happen with a cancer at its heart. Cut it out, Jack. Before it destroys you, and any hope for this school."

  • Jerry: "Let us put our hands together, and pray to our Father in heaven. We are gathered here in memory of our departed sister, Miss Dickey. But I'd also like us to remember young Siobhan Geary. Barely 15 years old, and right now, lost in a coma, because she could not, and was not strong enough to turn her back on temptation."
  • Andrew: "Oh please..."
  • Jerry: "Likewise, Miss Dickey. She was a good teacher, Lord, a fine teacher. But when you tested her, her faith was weak."
  • Andrew: "Jack, you have to stop this."
  • Jerry: "And when the Devil offered to ease her pain, well she listened to him. And took her own life. Now-"
  • Andrew: "Stop it! This is enough!"
  • Jerry: "You are interrupting a dialogue with the Lord!"
  • Andrew: "Then let him strike me down!"

  • "I will pray for your soul, Mr Rimmer." (final line)
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