School's Out Forever

Wed Feb 06 01:50PM by TV Editor

Todd Carty

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The BBC has announced that it is to axe long-running children's drama series Grange Hill.

Grange Hill, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this Friday (nice timing!), will not be recommissioned after the current series ends.

Speaking about the decision, CBBC Controller Anne Gilchrist said: "The lives of children have changed a great deal since Grange Hill began and we owe it to them to reflect this."

The series has tackled controversial issues such as teenage pregnancy, racism and, most famously, drug abuse during its 30-year-run.

The Zammo Maguire drugs storyline in the '80s even spawned the infamous charity single Just Say No.

The series also helped launch the careers of the likes of Todd Carty, Susan Tully and Michelle Gayle - and a teenage Naomi Campbell even popped up as an extra.

Last month the show's creator Phil Redmond called for the show to be scrapped over plans to move away from hard-hitting storylines in a bid to appeal to younger viewers. His prayers have been answered!

Will you be sad to see the end of Grange Hill? Who are your favourite characters and what are your memories of the series?

- Read about Tucker's Luck and more TV spin-offs

- Watch an interview with two Grange Hill stars

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User comments

  • (1)

    I was quite young when the whole Zammo heroin story was big. They did that anti-drugs single 'Just Say No'...everyone of a certain age must remember it!

    Posted by: fashgirl2000 on Wed Feb 06 02:01PM | Report abuse
  • (2)

    shame!

    Posted by: james_r_whittington on Wed Feb 06 04:06PM | Report abuse
  • (3)

    I used to love tucker I thought that he was hansom, what was i thinking!!

    Posted by: victoria_hobdale on Wed Feb 06 04:07PM | Report abuse
  • (4)

    I was not allow to watch this programme and it was full of common people!

    Posted by: robjcopeland on Wed Feb 06 04:07PM | Report abuse
  • (5)

    wen will it be axe

    Posted by: hharris401 on Wed Feb 06 04:09PM | Report abuse
  • (6)

    Grange Hill was brill in its day - as usual with these types of programmes, it didn't really mature. The good old days of Tucker Jenkins and Benny Green then onto Zammo etc could never be matched. Sad to hear the news but inevitable.

    Posted by: clare_41 on Wed Feb 06 04:09PM | Report abuse
  • (7)

    yes it was round about the same time as the miners strike and shortly after Blockaboots. http://youtube.com/watch?v=vHqORLX5SAA

    Posted by: asifoffice on Wed Feb 06 04:10PM | Report abuse
  • (8)

    m

    Posted by: garethgcooper on Wed Feb 06 04:11PM | Report abuse
  • (9)

    "The lives of children have changed a great deal since Grange Hill began and we owe it to them to reflect this." - I may be a bit older now but as far as I know children do still go to school don't they? I'd imagine they'll replace it with a cheaper alternative e.g. Property/Garden/Antique/Quiz programme....because we really need more of them you know lol.

    Posted by: martin_p_1999 on Wed Feb 06 04:12PM | Report abuse
  • (10)

    Trisha Yates & Cathy Hargreaves were my faves in the Tucker days. Ahhh the memories....

    Posted by: adamh65 on Wed Feb 06 04:12PM | Report abuse