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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?
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My mother was a teacher and we were not allowed to watch it, so I used to sneak into the telly room (no tv in my bedroom back in the late 70's) with the sound down. I went to a posh all-girls school and I so used to envy the girls at Grange Hill because they could hang out with the boys (even if they WERE common)!!!!.
Posted by: helen.jones876 on Wed Feb 06 04:38PM | Report abuseWhat a shame! I remember the Tucker/Trisha time, but I think my fav was the Chrissie/Ted pregnancy time. I used to go to school with Alison Bettles(Fay Lucas), go out with Banksie's brother in real life and have met Zammo (whilst working in London). I will miss them all. My little 5yr old has just started to watch them also. Still we have our memories!!! good luck for the future guys.
Posted by: terri.andy on Wed Feb 06 04:39PM | Report abuseTypical of new regime of gutless idiots and cheapskates at the BBC. I suspect it's been done out of fear of offending someone or other because they dont have the courage to actually include real life, cutting edge stories anymore, like the drugs related and bullying teacher stories from back in the day. Dont want anyone having an alternative, ie real, view of our new british (nanny state) order do we ? Will probably make a Dr Who style comeback once all the christians at the beeb have got into the government.
Posted by: awoodrow2002 on Wed Feb 06 04:39PM | Report abuseit,s the end of an era!!! I watched it, now my kids watch it. I remember ther first series! what a shame.....
Posted by: jan.downs on Wed Feb 06 04:41PM | Report abusewell i remember all the faverites it goes to show u that the 80s was the best year off our lives the music the drama and all the cast was well acted and to c the show finnish after all these years is sad to c but i wish all the cast all the best and gd luck thanks for the memories
Posted by: craigsmithlearch on Wed Feb 06 04:41PM | Report abusecheese
Posted by: hensbyuk on Wed Feb 06 04:41PM | Report abuseI used to watch Grange Hill in the 1980s. I thought it was brilliant. I'm now in my 30's, so i am a bit too old to watch it now. It will be a shame to see it go...but, everything has to come to and end at sometime or other.
Posted by: lisa.bloxam on Wed Feb 06 04:47PM | Report abuseI watched it, my kids watched it. The hard hitting storey lines were good and true to a point. Sorry to see it go
Posted by: suzanne.addy on Wed Feb 06 04:47PM | Report abusei thought it had already finished!!
Posted by: louisemills26 on Wed Feb 06 04:48PM | Report abuseI started Albany Comp. in Enfield at the same time Grange Hill started in September 1977. So I empathised with the students and all the problems they had with going to BIG SCHOOL. It got me through High School knowing I wasn't the only one finding it hard.
Posted by: wild14me on Wed Feb 06 04:52PM | Report abuse