Original Grange Hill cast now from devastating death, ditching fame and addiction battle

Daily Record

a day ago

The original cast of Grange Hill marked the childhoods of many kids around the country. Now, they all lead vastly different lives.
It was the school where detention wasn't just a threat, and important social issues were brought to light. Grange Hill, the groundbreaking BBC drama that first aired in 1978, offered a realistic and honest look at the lives of secondary school pupils - tackling everything from racism and bullying, to drug addiction and teenage pregnancy.
The show ran for three decades, amassing a vast alumni of child actors, many of whom became household names. But for every one who stayed in the limelight, others faded from view or faced difficult personal battles.
Here's a look at where some of the most memorable stars are now.
Lee MacDonald (Zammo McGuire)
Zammo's harrowing heroin addiction storyline in the mid-1980s became one of the most talked-about plots in British television history. Played by Lee MacDonald, Zammo was a bright student whose descent into addiction shocked viewers and sparked a nationwide campaign: the now-iconic Just Say No anti-drugs initiative, supported by Nancy Reagan herself.
After leaving Grange Hill, Lee struggled to find acting roles, later admitting that the association with drug addiction – albeit fictional – resulted in prejudice in casting offices. A keen amateur boxer, his sporting ambitions were dashed by a car accident, and he eventually opened a locksmith business in Wallington, Surrey.
But Lee's TV career wasn't entirely over. He popped up in The Bill, Celebrity Scissorhands, and even EastEnders, playing Terry in 2019. In 2020, he proposed to his long-time partner Jess, and the pair married in 2022. More recently, in June 2024, Lee revealed he had been diagnosed with a form of skin cancer, but reassured fans that he was undergoing treatment after spotting it early.
Todd Carty (Tucker Jenkins)
Tucker Jenkins wasn't just a character – he was a phenomenon. Played by Todd Carty, Tucker was a rebel with a heart, whose popularity led to the successful spin-off Tucker's Luck.
Todd's career soared post-Grange Hill, particularly when he joined EastEnders as Mark Fowler in 1990. Mark's HIV diagnosis broke new ground for soap storylines and earned Todd critical acclaim.
He later flipped the script entirely, playing sinister PC Gabriel Kent in The Bill, a storyline that veered into dark and disturbing territory. Todd also found unexpected fame on Dancing on Ice in 2009, when a botched move saw him accidentally skate off the rink mid-routine – a moment that's lived on in viral clips ever since.
Now 60, Todd lives in Muswell Hill with his long-term partner Dina Clarkin, a writer and producer. They have two sons and run their own production company.
Susan Tully (Suzanne Ross)
Susan Tully starred as headstrong Suzanne Ross in the early '80s before becoming a TV legend as Michelle Fowler in EastEnders. Her portrayal of a teenage mum, pregnant by none other than 'Dirty' Den Watts, made her one of the soap's most compelling characters.
But it's behind the camera where Susan has truly flourished. She turned to directing in the 1990s, later leading high-profile shows like Line of Duty, Tin Star, Silent Witness, and Too Close. Known for her tight, character-driven style, she's now one of the most respected directors working in British TV.
John Alford (Robbie Wright)
John Alford had a promising career post-Grange Hill, finding further success in London's Burning and launching a brief pop career. But last year he was charged with four counts of sexual activity with a child, as well as two - relating to a second female - of sexual assault and assault by penetration. He is due to face trial in August.
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Terry Sue-Patt (Benny Green)
Terry Sue-Patt played Benny Green, Grange Hill's first black character and a fan favourite. A talented footballer discovered in a London park, he also starred in the gritty Gary Oldman film The Firm.
Sadly, Terry died in 2015, aged 50. His body was found in his Walthamstow flat, having reportedly been undiscovered for a month. He had battled alcoholism in his later years, and a number of fellow cast members paid tribute to him on social media.
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Erkan Mustafa (Roland Browning)
Bullied for his weight, Roland – or 'Roly' – became a sympathetic figure for many viewers. Erkan Mustafa played the role with heart, though he later admitted acting wasn't something he initially pursued.
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He continued acting in low-key roles and later focused on writing. In interviews, Erkan has spoken fondly about his time on Grange Hill, saying he's grateful for the lifelong friendships it gave him. He also starred in The All-Nighter, a short film, in 2018.
Donald Waugh (Joseph 'Hughesy' Hughes)
Donald Waugh played Hughesy in the late '70s and then went on to work with theatre and launched a successful career - but endured a period of homelessness and alcohol addiction after leaving acting. He later turned his life around and now helps others struggling with similar issues, attending fan reunions and speaking openly about recovery.
James Jebbia (Tommy Watson, series one)
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A little-known fact: the original Tommy Watson from series one was played by James Jebbia – who went on to found streetwear empire Supreme. The role in later series was taken over by Paul McCarthy.
After leaving Grange Hill, James moved to New York and began working in fashion. By 1994, he'd launched Supreme, a cult brand now valued at over $1 billion. James keeps a famously low profile, but Vanity Fair reported that as of 2017, Supreme was generating more than $500 million annually.
Simone Nylander (Janet St Clair)
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Janet was the sweet and loyal friend of Roly, and was played by Simone Nylander from 1982 to 1986. After the show, she dipped into production work and worked with Simon Fuller's 19 Management. In 2020, she launched SN Voices, a voiceover agency for diverse talent, combining her passion for performance and representation in media.
Alison Bettles (Fay Lucas)
Fay Lucas was a fan favourite, and Alison Bettles was part of the influential Just Say No campaign. She continued acting into the '90s, with appearances in The Bill, No Strings, and an EastEnders wartime special, making her last appearance in 2001.
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Now a mother of four, Alison works as a beauty therapist and reportedly runs a freight business. Two of her sons have followed in her footsteps, landing roles in Doctor Who and EastEnders.
Paula-Ann Bland (Claire Scott)
Claire Scott made headlines when her diary fantasy about a teacher prompted chaos. Off-screen, Paula-Ann Bland released a cover of The Loco-Motion and continued acting - and even shook audiences by posing topless for men's magazine Mayfair - before taking a step back from the industry.
In the 1990s, she ran boutique shoe shops in London and launched a PR firm. Now a mum of two, she has survived breast cancer and is also an ambassador for The Good Grief Trust.