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

  • (161)

    i love grange hill and will be sad to let it go!!!!!!

    Posted by: anthonyfox98 on Thu Feb 07 05:55PM | Report abuse
  • (162)

    this is another example of the do good nanny state implemented by the BBC over which the people of this country have no control,but for which we are made to pay for.

    Posted by: clivethorp on Thu Feb 07 07:12PM | Report abuse
  • (163)

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    Posted by: nina_monckton on Thu Feb 07 08:58PM | Report abuse
  • (164)

    did not know it was still on!! I watched it from the first episode which started the very same year i started at comprehensive, (1978) so it was like i was growing up with them.

    Posted by: sammycarl1991 on Thu Feb 07 11:17PM | Report abuse
  • (165)

    It was rubbish which undermined values in education and spawned the dreadful "EastEnders"! Good riddance!

    Posted by: mutley3three on Mon Feb 11 09:23PM | Report abuse
  • (166)

    I watched it all the time, in the era of Todd Carty & Sue Tully, who turned out to be extremely talented, and of course, popped up in Eastenders! Great programme, but maybe it's time for it to go now. My kids school isn't anything like that.

    Posted by: anniebee_43 on Mon Feb 25 04:43PM | Report abuse
  • (167)

    whatever...

    Posted by: ccw12 on Tue Mar 11 05:15PM | Report abuse
  • (168)

    as someone who goes to high school now i dont think it does represent school teenagers these days. hardly anyone sleeps with anyone else, hardly anyone smokes or takes drugs and i have never seen a chair being thrown around the classroom, it thankfully doesnt reflect what school is now, most parents would be amazed

    Posted by: m.williams96 on Mon Mar 17 05:46PM | Report abuse