Well who would have thought it? Few could have imagined when Grange Hill began that it would still be going strong in 25 years time. The show is as popular as ever and the secret of its success lies in its accurate portrayal of school life and keeping up with the times. But now we focus on the future. As Grange Hill approaches its 25th anniversary, the BBC has handed over control of the series.

On 15 March Phil Redmond, creator of Grange Hill, signed a deal for his own production company, Mersey TV, to produce the next three series of the show. And this almost certainly means dramatic changes for the series on screen and off. "I wanted to give something back to the show for its 25th anniversary, and to put the fun back into the show," Mr Redmond told the press. "I can't wait to be working with children again!"

Production has moved from the BBC's Elstree studios (home of Grange Hill since 1985) to Mersey TV's headquarters in Childwall, Liverpool. Mersey TV was formed by Phil Redmond in 1982 and produces Channel 4's successful soaps Brookside and Hollyoaks. The new school will no longer be set in North London but Phil Redmond anxiously points out the series will not "go Scouse". The new location will not be specified, giving the impression the school could be anywhere in Britain, he points out.

 

BIG CHANGES FOR GRANGE HILL

* Mersey TV taking over production * Grange Hill to be filmed in Liverpool * Cast will be from all over Britain * 15 characters axed

So it goes without saying the familiar London accents which have so characterised Grange Hill since 1978 will disappear. "What I want to do is shift it away from being a north London comprehensive to an androgynous comprehensive that could be anywhere in Britain. "There will be Scousers in front of the camera - they just won't have the universally blessed accent."

It had been suggested the new Grange Hill would contain characters with accents from across the country, But apparently not. Brian Fray, whose daughter has joined the cast, tells GH Online: "The prerequisite for joining Grange Hill was to have no particular accent. There may be the odd Scouse or Mancunian character but they have always been there".

Also, the size of the cast will be reduced to enable viewers to identify with more character-based storylines. Phil adds: "Over the last 10 years soaps carpet-bombed every kind of social issue. I think people would rather see drama that reflects what is going on in their own life."

"YOUNGER AUDIENCE" FEARS QUELLED
Rumours abounded that the new Grange Hill would be targetted more towards younger viewers. Redmond told the Daily Telegraph: "When I started it off it was a big Boys Own adventure with Tucker and Co, and then I moved to the social gritty areas," he said. "I want to take the show back to the eight to 11s, so I will be looking for another Tucker and Benny generation. It could do with a bit more fun and comedy." However, Mersey TV's press office insists Grange Hill will continue to be a teenage series, and the news that popular character Ray will open up a bar seems to back this up.

CHANGES HAPPENING, SET DEMOLISHED
Mersey TV has launched Phil Redmond's Official Grange Hill Web Site, which includes a series guide and a message from Phil. The new site is signposted on other Mersey TV sites. Meanwhile in Elstree, the cast gathered for a final get-together in February.

The Grange Hill office at Elstree closed down in May. However Grange Hill's co-ordinator remains available to answer enquiries about previous series. A spokeswoman for the Grange Hill office said staff are "very sad" by the move but are delighted the series will continue.

To enable the change, disaster struck the school at the end of Series 25. A fire - started by evil Mr Deverill - blasted Grange Hill into the heavens after spreading to the science lab. Now though, the line really has been drawn under the Elstree years. On 14 November, workmen demolished the Grange Hill set at BBC Elstree.

Si Spencer, series editor 2000-2001, says: "I was up at Elstree yesterday morning just in time to see the demolition men take down the old Grange Hill exteriors - the school gates, the reception area and main entrance, the block where Judy fell etc.... Inevitable I suppose, but still a bit of a shock."

FOURTEEN CHARACTERS AXED
Phil Redmond has retained many of the current cast for the move up north. Yet no less than fourteen characters have been axed, including all the present sixth form. One major problem is that most of the cast live in and around London, and it might have been difficult for them to relocate. When Grange Hill switched to Elstree from Hammersmith in 1985, some actors inevitably vanished.

FANS ANGRY WITH REDMOND'S PLANS
GH Online has received hundreds of e-mails about the move. Most readers are outraged by the changes and want Grange Hill to stay as it is. Many fans were concerned about the possibility of Grange Hill becoming a show for younger children. Readers of the BBC Newsround web site were evenly split in March; some said Grange Hill was "old fashioned" and needed a change, others said they it's traditional for the school to be in London. Since then, there's been a change in mood amongst Britain's youngsters - the CBBC Drama message board was inundated by messages opposing the move to Liverpool.

YOUR SHOUT is our special letters page where you can have your say about the changes to Grange Hill. If you have a comment to make, drop us a line. And send us your views on the cast changes!

SO WHAT NOW?
Until the new look Grange Hill is broadcast, we won't know the full impact of the change in producer. Ironically Phil Redmond always wanted Grange Hill to be set in Liverpool, but the BBC was based in London and the rest is history. But one thing is certain - the series will remain on our screens for the next three years and, the BBC hopes, many years to come.

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