Grange Hill was a British television children’s drama series originally made by the BBC which ran from 1978 up until 2008, which made it one of the longest-running programmes on British television. The programme was centred around the fictional comprehensive school of Grange Hill in the fictional North London borough of Northam. It followed the lives of the students as they went through school. It tackled a lot of controversial storylines and won numerous awards throughout the years.
Here are a few things you might not have known about Grange Hill in the 1980s!
1. It was a school of scandal.
The BBC was criticised in 1978 for setting a bad example when school benches were thrown into the school swimming pool. Parents and even teachers rang in to complain about the fact they thought the show was setting a bad example for the kids watching.
2. Mr Bronson.
Everyone remembers the episode where Luke Gardener and Hollo Holloway steal Mr Bronson’s toupé? Michael Sheard who played the nasty Mr Bronson was used to playing the bad guy in roles. He portrayed Adolf Hitler five times and Heinrich Himmler three times in various different TV and film roles. He also starred at Hermann Goring’s double in the BBC sitcom Allo Allo! He also starred in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
3. Zammo’s heroin addiction.
Zammo Maguire’s heroin addiction caused a lot of controversies and prompted tabloid fury that will lead to copycat incidents. The storyline led to a Top 10 single Just Say No and the cast being invited to the White House.
4. The White House.
The 80s cast was invited to visit the White House by the First Lady Nancy Reagan. Zammo’s heroin addiction storyline led to the cast being invited to the White House. Lee MacDonald, who played Zammo admitted that he didn’t realise how much of a big deal it was until he was older.
At the time, he said: “We had a little natter, I don’t think she had a clue what Grange Hill was.”
“I bought this special suit, but looking at the pictures now, it was awful – the trousers didn’t match and I remember wearing white socks. But I was pleased as punch. We all were. We were really excited. The building is awesome as you walk up. We sat in this room and we heard footsteps coming down the hall, then loads of bodyguards around and then the door opens, and in comes Nancy. It was amazing.”
5. Shane Richie.
Eastenders star Shane Ritchie can be glimpsed swinging through a school fence in the opening episode.
6. Just Say No.
Inspired by Zammo’s heroin addiction, the cast released a single “Just Say No” which reached Number 5 in the UK charts and the song helped raise over £100,000 for anti-drugs campaigners.
7. The future.
A lot of the cast went on to appear in Casualty, Eastenders, London’s Burning, Coronation Street, The Bill and Soldier Soldier among others. As well as some hitting the big screen.
8. Terry Sue-Patt – Benny Green.
Terry Sue-Patt played Benny Green, Todd Carty’s best friend in the show, went on to have some minor roles in TV shows including Desmonds, General Hospital and Jackanory. Unfortunately, Terry was found dead in his flat after battling a drinking problem. He and Todd Carty had stayed friends throughout their careers and he took to Twitter to express his sadness.
‘Deeply saddened by the news of a dear friend Terry Sue-Patt passing away. Thoughts with his family RIP xxx.’
9. Drugs scandal.
John Alford who played happy-go-lucky Robbie Wright was caught up in a drugs sting with the News of the World’s Fake Sheikh. He served a six-week sentence after being charged and hasn’t returned to his former success. He’s had some small roles in shows like Casualty and the CBBC show Mile High.
10. The creator.
Phil Redmond created Grange Hill, was responsible for Brookside and Hollyoaks too. The show was cancelled after 30 years after the BBC felt that it had run its course.
11. It was going to be called something else.
The series was originally going to be called “Grange Park” which would go on to be used as the name of the school in another Redmond Creation, Brookside.
12. Grange Hill touched on more controversial issues than any other teen TV show.
It touched on issues like racism, drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, AIDS, knife crime, epilepsy, rape, Aspergers Syndrome, young carers and internet danger just to name a few.
13. ‘Stupot’.
Mark Burdiss who played Christopher Stewart is now a boxing MC and appeared in the slightly annoying AA advert ‘Kev, BEV’ in 2009.
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