Where is the class of Grange Hill now? As it’s revealed the series will be remade as a movie, Femail reveals the varied fortunes of the original stars – from homelessness and an alcohol addiction to a career on EastEnders
- BBC One children’s show Grange Hill is said to be returning as a film later 40 years after it first hit our screens
- Movie is expected to feature former cast members from the show in the roles of parents and grandparents
- Grange Hill was set in a fictional comprehensive school and ran for 30 years between 1978 and 2008
- Tucker Jenkins, played by Todd Carty became an Eastenders star, while on-screen friend Benny Green, played by Terry Sue-Patt, was sadly found dead in his London flat aged 50 after a battle with alcoholism
Fans of the classic BBC One children’s show Grange Hill will have been thrilled by the news that the hit series is said to be returning as a film later this year – over 40 years after it first hit our screens.
The movie is expected to feature former cast members from the show in the roles of parents – and even grandparents.
Grange Hill, set in a fictional comprehensive school, ran as a BBC children’s TV series for 30 years between 1978 and 2008.
Among the characters that featured over the years were Tucker Jenkins, played by Todd Carty, Benny Green, Zammo McGuire, Justine Dean, and Norman ‘Gripper’ Stebson.
And this month it emerged that Grange Hill creator Phil Redmond, 72, the TV producer and screenwriter also behind Brookside and Hollyoaks, reportedly completed the script for a film based around the children’s programme set in a school.
It is thought that the planned film, due later this year, will deal with the planned closure of the school as well as issues around social media and children’s grief.
Todd Carty, 57, who played hit character Tucker Jenkins. remains one of the show’s most famous alumni having remained on TV screens since the first series aired in 1978 – most memorably asEastenders’ Mark Fowler.
Sadly not every story was one of success, with Terry Sue-Patt, who played popular character Benny Green, tragically found dead in his London flat aged 50 in 2015, after a battle with alcoholism.
Here, FEMAIL looks at what happened to the film’s cast after Chitty Chitty Bang Bang made them household names in the late Seventies…
Lee MacDonald
Played: Zammo McGuire
Lee MacDonald as Zammo who was the star of one of the series’ most hard-hitting storylines when he became addicted to heroin. Now 52, he runs a locksmith business and continues to appear on TV as himself on shows such as Celebrity Pointless
Lee MacDonald, 52, was the star of one of Grange Hill’s most hard-hitting storylines when his character Zammo became addicted to heroin.
As a result, he became involved in a number of anti-drugs campaigns encouraging youngsters to ‘Just Say No’.
After six years as Zammo, Lee left Grange Hill with critical acclaim for his portrayal of Zammo.
Lee had always had an interest in boxing and continued to develop his skill to a high level but unfortunately a car accident in the early 1990s left him unable to pursue the sport.
Lee MacDonald played Zammo and now runs a locksmith business in London
Zammo became hooked on heroin in arguably the biggest storyline on the school drama
Lee had always had an interest in boxing and continued to develop his skill to a high level.
Unfortunately, a car accident in the early 1990s left Lee unable to pursue with the sport.
Lee has made several TV appearances since leaving Grange Hill, including an episode of The Bill in which his love interest was played by Melissa Wilkes – who also played his girlfriend Jackie Wright in Grange Hill.
In April 2019, it was announced that he would appear in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Terry.
He remains in the public eye appearing as himself on shows such as Celebrity Scissorhands and Celebrity Pointless. He also runs a locksmith business in Wallington, Surrey.
Todd Carty
Played: Peter ‘Tucker’ Jenkins
Todd Carty is well-known for his role as mischievous character Tucker Jenkins and even had his own spin-off from the series which ran for three years
Todd Carty, 57, remains one of the show’s most famous alumni having remained on TV screens since the first series aired in 1978. His Grange Hill character was so popular, he was given his own spin-off show Tucker’s Luck from 1983 to 1985.
He then starred as Mark Fowler in EastEnders from 1990 to 2003, with a groundbreaking storyline when his character was diagnosed with HIV.
But after his departure from the square, he played away from type portraying the villainous PC Gabriel Kent in The Bill.
Plotting a deranged revenge plot on the mother who gave him away involving incest and raping a colleague, psychopathic Gabriel became a serial killer and eventually committed suicide.
As well as continuing to act on stage and screen, he’s also delved into producing and directing and made a memorable appearance on Dancing On Ice in 2009 because of his lack of flair.
His uncoordinated moves became a ratings draw and in one routine he accidentally skidded through the exit.
Todd Carty went on to have a successful career in several television soaps, including Eastenders
He played Mark Fowler for 13 years, pictured at Wendy Richards’ funeral, who played his on-screen mother Pauline Fowler
As well as starring in panto, he appeared on Celebrity Masterchef in 2014 and in 2015, the actor and his eldest son James filmed a documentary, Dangerous Adventures For Boys, for Channel 5 based on the book by Conn and Hal Iggulden.
Carty and his eldest son, James, filmed together in a factual television series for Channel 5, Dangerous Adventures For Boys, based on the book written by Conn and Hal Iggulden
Most recently, he appeared in the film Silver Birches in 2017 about an author struggling to rebuild his life after the untimely death of his wife.
Todd has been with his childhood sweetheart Dina Clarkin since 1990, and they have two sons James and Thomas.
Susan Tully
Played: Suzanne Ross
Susan Tully starred as rebellious school girl Suzanne Ross (seen on the show in 1982) in Grange Hill from 1980 to 1984, and was the daughter of Mrs Ross
After getting her first taste of directing on EastEnders in the 90s, she went on to direct and produce episodes of Tin Star, The A Word, Britannia, Musketeers and Silent Witness, and more recently Line of Duty (seen last year)
Susan Tully starred as rebellious school girl Suzanne Ross in Grange Hill from 1980 to 1984, and was the daughter of Mrs Ross.
At the age of 17 she was cast as teenager Michelle Fowler in Eastenders, playing the role of a 16-year-old single mother after becoming pregnant with 39-year-old adulterer ‘Dirty’ Den Watts, a role which she stayed in from 1985 to 1995.
At the age of 17 she was cast as teenager Michelle Fowler in Eastenders, playing the role of a 16-year-old single mother after becoming pregnant with 39-year-old adulterer ‘Dirty’ Den Watts (seen on the show in 1995), a role which she stayed in from 1985 to 1995
Actress Susan Tully pictured during the filming of her characters wedding scene on the set of the BBC soap opera ‘EastEnders’, September 29th 1986
Susan rejected various offers to return to Eastenders as Michelle, and in 2016 gave the show her blessing to recast her character.
After getting her first taste of directing on EastEnders in the 90s, she went on to direct and produce episodes of Tin Star, The A Word, Britannia, Musketeers and Silent Witness, and more recently Line of Duty.
Talented director Tully was praised for the nail-biting final episodes of Line of Duty.
John Alford
Played: Robbie Wright
John Alford as Robbie and George Christopher as Ziggy Tuesday in 1986
Actor John Alford played happy go lucky Robbie Wright between 1985 and 1991.
Little brother to Jaqui, Robbie is best remembered for his romances with Calley Donnington and his friendship with Ziggy Greaves.
After leaving the show, he went on to be a regular on ITV series London’s Burning playing Billy Ray.
He also enjoyed several top 40 hit singles, produced by Stock/Waterman, following his TV success.
But his fortunes turned when he was written out after being caught in a drugs sting.
The former teenage pin-up was caught by the News Of The World’s Fake Sheikh and then served a six week sentence after being charged.
John Alford was jailed for nine months last year after being convicted of supplying cocaine and cannabis to a bogus Arab prince in 2000
The actor was found guilty by a jury at London’s Snaresbrook Crown Court in 1999 of one count of supplying 2.036 grammes of cocaine to Fake Sheikh Mazher Mahmood, as well as a similar charge involving 11.9 grammes of cannabis resin.
He struggled to return to his previous success after being released but has had small parts since. He’s appeared in Casualty and CBBC show Mile High and had a long-term relationship with Tina Mahon who played Ronnie Birtles.
In 2016, Mahmood was found guilty of plotting to pervert the course of justice and following the case, it was suggested that up to 72 defendants in criminal cases in which he played a role could apply for convictions to be quashed.
Alford’s case was among those taken up by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Erkan Mustafa
Played: Roland Browning
He was bullied for being obese on the show
Erkan Mustafa found fame in the Eighties as Roland ‘Roly’ Browning
Erkan Mustafa found fame in the Eighties as Roland ‘Roly’ Browning who was bullied for being obese.
He played the role for six years and became an iconic character in the series, suffering horrific bullying at the hands of Gripper Stebson.
By the time he left Grange Hill six years later, Roland was able to stand up for himself and had developed a talent for foreign languages.
After leaving the school drama in 1987, he went on to act in two series of Chef! with Lenny Henry as well as several episodes of Blackadder.
He still teams up with Lee ‘Zammo’ MacDonald for public appearances and charity events.
Erkan was also instrumental in bringing the cast back together for a 2009 reunion at Sound nightclub in London’s Leicester Square.
Now 50, he continues to act, write and direct according to his Twitter profile.
Simone Nylander
Played: Janet St Clair
Actress Simone Nylander played kind school girl Janet St Clair from 1982 to 1986, seen on the show. Her character was known for trying to get her friend Roland to fit into Grange Hill
The actress, seen recently, left the show after four years, and ended up living with university and celebrity pal Russell Brand for a time
Actress Simone Nylander played kind school girl Janet St Clair from 1982 to 1986. Her character was known for trying to get her friend Roland to fit into Grange Hill.
The actress left the show after four years, and ended up living with university and celebrity pal Russell Brand for a time.
Simone also worked for Simon Fuller’s 19 Management organisation and does modelling work.
John Holmes
Played: Luke ‘Gonch’ Gardener
Luke ‘Gonch’ Gardener stepped into the shoes of Pogo Patterson as Grange Hill’s ‘ginger entrepreneur’, joining the cast in 1985 (seen in 1985 on the show)
John gave up acting after Grange Hill and now works as the manager of a casino (seen recently)
Luke ‘Gonch’ Gardener stepped into the shoes of Pogo Patterson as Grange Hill’s ‘ginger entrepreneur’, joining the cast in 1985.
Always full of money making schemes, Gonch was a wheeler dealer who ran a toast bar, a dating agency, a homework service and a PE kit lending scheme all from the classroom.
In 1989, during Gonch’s last series, he fell in love with Mandy Freemont.
Actor John Holmes left the show to complete his education and studied at the University of East Anglia, where he eventually became president of the Student Union for several years.
John gave up acting after Grange Hill and now works as the manager of a casino.
Benny Green
Played: Terry Sue-Patt
As Benny Green, Terry Sue-Patt was the first black character to ever be seen on the show and became one of the most popular characters
As Benny Green, Terry Sue-Patt was the first black character to ever be seen on the show and became one of the most popular characters
As Benny Green, Terry Sue-Patt was the first black character to ever be seen on the show and became one of the most popular characters.
He was discovered aged 14 by a talent scout while playing football in the park and enjoyed success in 1989 film The Firm, starring alongside Gary Oldman and Phil Davis.
He said: ‘I basically played myself in Grange Hill. There weren’t many black actors about on TV at that time.
‘I had a great time, getting time off school to play football. It was a bit of a dream come true, really.’
He also had minor roles in other TV shows including Desmonds, General Hospital and Jackanory.
In October 2015, Terry was sadly found dead at his London home, aged 50, following a battle with alocholism.
He was found lying face down in bed and reports suggested his body may have lain undiscovered for a month.
Todd Carty said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the sudden death of his Grange Hill co-star.
Taking to Twitter, he said: ‘Deeply saddened by the news of a dear friend Terry Sue-Patt passing away. Thoughts with his family RIP xxx.’
They played best friends Tucker Jenkins and Benny Green. The pair left the show in the early 1980s just four years after joining but remained friends throughout their careers.
Alison Bettles
Played: Fay Lucas
After Alison Bettles’ stint as Fay Lucas (pictured), she continued acting with small roles in The Bill and No Strings in the Eighties and Nineties and last appeared on TV screens in 2001
Alison Bettles, now 51, played Fay Lucas from 1982 to 1987 in six series of the show
Alison Bettles, now 51, played Fay Lucas from 1982 to 1987 in six series of the show.
Bettles was one of the cast members to take part in the famous Just Say No single, to promote an anti-drugs message after the programme’s controversial storyline with Zammo McGuire who became hooked on heroin as a child.
The single reached number five in the charts in 1986.
In 1988, Alison appeared in an Eastenders spin-off called Civvy Street, set during the second world war, playing a young Ethel Skinner.
She continued acting with small roles in The Bill and No Strings in the Eighties and Nineties and last appeared on British TV screens in London’s Burning in 2001.
Now married with four children, she is a qualified beauty therapist and has reportedly set up a freight business. Meanwhile two of her sons have followed in her acting footsteps, clinching roles in Doctor Who and EastEnders.
Paula-Ann Bland
Played: Claire Scott
Actress, entrepreneur and PR boss Paula-Ann Bland played edgy Claire Scott in the hit show, who had a crush on teacher Mr Hopwood
Paula-Ann’s edgy character Claire caused a stir by fantasising about teacher Mr Hopwood in her diary, who was then attached by her overprotective father.
She also enjoyed a romance with Stewpot, before discovering he was seeing Annette Firman behind her back.
Because of her success on the small screen record company bosses eyed Paula-Ann as a potential British Kylie and she even released a cover version of The Locomotion.
She left the series in 1985 and continued to act, appearing in TV series such as Spender and Only Fools and Horses.
In 1988, she caused a stir by posing topless for men’s magazine Mayfair.
During the ’90s she turned her back on acting and opened shoe shops called Paola in Knightsbridge and Chelsea before starting her own PR company.
She’s a mother-of-two and is also an ambassador for the Good Grief Trust.
Donald Waugh
Played: Joseph ‘Hughesy’ Hughes
Joseph ‘Hughesy’ Hughes actor Donald Waugh starred on the show from 1978 to 1980 (seen left). After the show his life began to spiral out of control and he turned to alcohol, and was eventually forced to live on the streets
Joseph ‘Hughesy’ Hughes actor Donald Waugh starred on the show from 1978 to 1980.
After the show his life began to spiral out of control and he turned to alcohol, and was eventually forced to live on the streets.
Speaking about becoming homeless to enterprise Pavement to Catwalk, Donald said: ‘Working with and being homeless for a period of time has opened my eyes to the potential and talent within this un-tapped society.
‘In this I have learned that the secret to helping yourself is to help others. I still hold this very close to my heart today.’
Grange Hill stars (pictured L-R: creator Phil Redmond, Paula-Ann Bland, Lee MacDonald and Lisa York) left fans feeling nostalgic when they reunited on This Morning in 2018
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