2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Grange Hill cast now, from tragic death to cancer battle and addiction
Grange Hill ran for three decades and launched the careers of many child actors, while others have struggled to cope with the fame and fortune that came with it
Grange Hill, the groundbreaking BBC drama that first aired in 1978, was a school where detention wasn't just a threat and important social issues were brought to light. The show 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 programme ran for three decades, amassing a vast alumni of child actors, many of whom became household names. However, not all of them stayed in the limelight; some faded from view or faced difficult personal battles.
Let's take 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, reports the Daily Record.
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.
However, Lee's television career was far from finished. He made appearances in The Bill, Celebrity Scissorhands, and even returned to EastEnders in 2019 as Terry.
In 2020, he popped the question to his long-term girlfriend Jess, and they tied the knot in 2022. More recently, in June 2024, Lee shared that he had been diagnosed with a form of skin cancer, but reassured fans that he was receiving treatment after catching it early.
Todd Carty (Tucker Jenkins)
Tucker Jenkins wasn't just a character – he was a sensation. Portrayed by Todd Carty, Tucker was a rebel with a heart, whose popularity led to the successful spin-off series, Tucker's Luck.
Todd's career took off post-Grange Hill, especially when he joined EastEnders as Mark Fowler in 1990. Mark's HIV diagnosis was a groundbreaking storyline for soaps and earned Todd critical praise.
He later completely changed gears, playing the sinister PC Gabriel Kent in The Bill, a storyline that delved into dark and disturbing territory. Todd also gained unexpected fame on Dancing on Ice in 2009, when a botched move saw him accidentally skate off the rink mid-routine – a moment that has lived on in viral clips ever since.
Now aged 60, Todd resides 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, who initially gained fame as the feisty Suzanne Ross in the early '80s, later became a household name for her role as Michelle Fowler in EastEnders. Her portrayal of a teenage mum impregnated by none other than 'Dirty' Den Watts made her one of the most captivating characters on the soap.
However, it's behind the scenes where Susan has truly excelled. She transitioned to directing in the 1990s and has since helmed high-profile shows such as Line of Duty, Tin Star, Silent Witness, and Too Close.
Known for her focused, character-driven approach, she is now one of the most esteemed directors in British television.
John Alford (Robbie Wright)
John Alford, who played Robbie Wright, had a promising career after Grange Hill, finding further success in London's Burning and even launching a short-lived pop career. However, 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 set to face trial in August.
Terry Sue-Patt (Benny Green)
Terry Sue-Patt portrayed Benny Green, Grange Hill's first black character and a fan favourite. A gifted footballer discovered in a London park, he also starred in the gritty Gary Oldman film The Firm.
Regrettably, Terry passed away in 2015 at the age of 50. His body was found in his Walthamstow flat, reportedly having been undiscovered for a month.
He struggled with alcoholism in his later years, and several fellow cast members paid tribute to him on social media.
Erkan Mustafa (Roland Browning)
Roland, or "Roly", was a character that many viewers sympathised with due to his weight-related bullying. The role was played by Erkan Mustafa, who later confessed that acting wasn't his first career choice.
After Grange Hill, he continued to act in minor roles and eventually turned his attention to writing. In various interviews, Erkan has expressed his fondness for his time on Grange Hill, appreciating the lifelong friendships it brought him.
He also featured in a short film, The All-Nighter, in 2018.
Donald Waugh (Hughesy)
Donald Waugh portrayed Hughesy in the late '70s before moving on to theatre work and launching a successful career. However, he experienced homelessness and alcohol addiction after leaving acting.
He managed to turn his life around and now assists others facing similar challenges, attending fan reunions and openly discussing recovery.
James Jebbia (Tommy Watson)
An interesting tidbit: James Jebbia, the founder of the streetwear empire Supreme, originally played Tommy Watson in series one. Paul McCarthy took over the role in later series.
Upon leaving Grange Hill, James relocated to New York and started working in the fashion industry. By 1994, he had established Supreme, a cult brand now worth over $1 billion.
James maintains a notoriously low profile, but Vanity Fair reported in 2017 that Supreme was generating more than $500 million annually.
Simone Nylander (Janet St Clair)
Janet, Roly's sweet and loyal friend, was portrayed by Simone Nylander from 1982 to 1986. Post-show, she ventured into production work, collaborating with Simon Fuller's 19 Management.
In 2020, she launched SN Voices, a voiceover agency championing diverse talent, merging her love for performance and representation in media.
Alison Bettles (Fay Lucas)
Alison Bettles brought the fan-favourite character Fay Lucas to life and was part of the impactful Just Say No campaign. She continued her acting career into the '90s, featuring in The Bill, No Strings, and an EastEnders wartime special, making her final appearance in 2001.
Now a mother of four, Alison works as a beauty therapist and reportedly manages a freight business. Two of her sons have followed her into the acting world, securing roles in Doctor Who and EastEnders.
Paula-Ann Bland (Claire Scott)
Paula-Ann Bland, who played Claire Scott, made headlines when her diary fantasy about a teacher caused uproar. Off-screen, Paula-Ann released a cover of The Loco-Motion and continued acting - even surprising audiences by posing topless for men's magazine Mayfair - before stepping back from the industry.
In the 1990s, she ran boutique shoe shops in London and established a PR firm. Now a mother of two, she has battled breast cancer and serves as an ambassador for The Good Grief Trust.
