Last Update: November 7, 2002

GRANGE HILL PETITION CLOSED
GH Online's petition "Keep Grange Hill In London!", has now closed. Thanks to everyone who signed; we are grateful for your support and are awaiting a response from Mersey Television.

Adam makes way for the shoddy crew 07/11/02

Kate H writes: "I was very sad to hear that Adam Sopp is leaving Grange Hill as he is my favourite actor, and dead cute too! However, when I read the list of actors leaving the show, it became apparent that all the better actors are leaving; the ones who give the show its appeal (Robert Stuart, Adam Sopp, Daniel Lee etc). I think Grange Hill will now be completely ruined by shoddy acting, and I think untrained people such as myself and my peers could do better jobs than those who remain in series 26. Do you know how I could write to Adam Sopp?" Hi Kate. It's a shame Adam's left but we don't know why. However I don't think the new cast will be shoddy at all - just different faces. Unfortunately we don't have an address for Adam - sorry!

 

Matthew Cartwright speaks out 21/8/02

Nicholas Pandolfi, who played Matthew Cartwright in Grange Hill during the 1980s, passes judgment: "THE WEBSITE LOOKS GREAT , LIVERPOOL .... HOW BIZARRE...." And so say most of us Nick! But it's good to know many of the cast are returning and the evidence suggests Grange Hill is remaining a teen show.

 

Ray will rejoin your favourites in the new seriesHoo-RAY! UPDATED 21/8/02

But while one favourite departs, another stays, Sean Seymour: "I was delighted to see Ray had returned to GH this means GH may still be based in Northam!!!!! this is great news as I thought phil Redmond's Idea of GH being based in an unknown place disgusted me and it's hardly like Ray would move to wherever just to be with his old school this news also means that my site Northam-Central will cover old and present(New)GH since chances of GH remaining in Northam are high, However now that Ray will run a pub will GH pupils be welcome I wander?"

Malcolm Neale is also delighted: "It's great news that Ray will be back in the new series, he was always one of my favourite characters. With so many of the old cast returning I still don't see how they will explain that the school is no longer in London. As around 90% of the viewers will be children who have maybe only seen one or two previous series they probably think no one will question it."

 

Mr Hankin axe fury UPDATED 22/9/02

Lee Cornes' departure from Grange Hill after 12 years has disappointed many readers. Matt Mills says: "I can't believe Mr Hankin has been axed! A whole new group of staff apart from Mr Robson- I certainly wasn't expecting this! At least with the move to Elstree Grange Hill had the merger storyline to explain staff leaving."

For Michael it's the end of an era: "It's sad news about Mr Hankin-yes? I didn't want to see Lee Cornes go, he is a actor of the highest calibre only touching Michael Sheard for brilliance and experience and is the only link with the past barring Robson, so that's unwelcome news. I can remember Lee on Rab C Nesbit in the early 1990s before his character devloped the cult staus it has now."

While The Lilac Pilgrim plans revenge: "I have just realised, after being shocked, stunned and temporarily paralysed, that my prediction was correct! Lee Cornes is gone... Okay, someone give me a blunt axe, a flamethrower and a red-hot poker. I'm gonna enjoy doing this...(Laughs hysterically)"

 

Double Dare disaster 31/7/02

Sean Seymour mourns the loss of the Class of 97: "I am shocked to hear about Tucker's Return, I did like his character but I think a Tucker or should I say Togger prankster character nowadays would not fit in. I was really dissapointed to hear that the entire DD gang are no longer in the series, Ironic that Mr Jones, Mrs Holmes and the DD gang were all new additions in 1997 and none have survived the transition. Disappointed to hear about Max leaving; I have been watching his year closely since they first arrived Ian happens to be the only surviving member to reach sixth form as Adam has already left." Yes Sean, it is a shame the 1997 intake were in the firing line? I Looks like Tom, Lisa, Briony and Matt were killed because they were close to the blast. Rachel Bell will be missed as Mrs Holmes, biggest loss of all will be Mr Deverill (Nicolas Tizzard) who's also not returning. We'll never know what he did next!

"Do you know if Kelly George will remain? I'm pretty sure that GH would still be based in Northam, also I'm hoping that from your new GH building photo that Max Abassi's Badge is no longer in use. Will Mersey be providing photos of characters like the BBC did?" Kelly's agents can't say if he is in the series or not, Mersey TV will hopefully do cast photos as they do for their other series."

 

Don't be quick to judge 25/7/02

Andrew Startup thinks we should all hold fire: "I think we have to wait and see what Phil has in mind before making any judgement as to what the series is going to be like now he is in charge again. I cannot see why we cannot have some like Tucker as a character though, as after all through out the years we have had pupils getting into scraps, from Gonch, Ted, Ziggy, & Mauler, Dudley, and even the Double Dare Gang. Tucker's main appeal to me was the fact that although he got into trouble, his heart was in the right place. However I feel that Phil won't want to change things and will still deal with social issues as what his producer is doing with Hollyoaks. There you have a storyline of a girl self-harming, with her father battling alcholism, yet on the lighter side you have a touch of humour as well.

"I do wonder though how many ex-pupils might appear when Grange Hill returns. The obvious visitors, are Julie Buckfield & Martino Lazzeri as Hollyoaks is filmed in the same studios. It sounds like Mr Robson suvived, Mr Deverill is to good a character to get rid of, and now he has covered his tracks starting the fire in the new school he could turn up as a teacher at the new school." The only problem I can see with the new series is that there could be a lot of new characters, so they may have to go back to how Grange Hill started, and concentrate of one year instead of several."

Hi Andrew - you seem quite confident about the new Grange Hill. With the news that Tucker is returning the door could always be open for more returnees (for those that don't know, Martino Lazzeri plays Alex in "Hollyoaks" while Julie Buckfield is reprising her role as Julie). I've said this before but hope you're right about Mr Deverill!

 

Ease off on the petition! 24/7/02

Brian Fray thinks we've been overdoing it: "This site looks good but I think you need to ease off on the petition thing. I feel the move to Liverpool has given the opportunity to kids outside the London area to be involved in such a big production. I also have a vested interest in series 26 but can't say anymore at this stage." Hi Brian. Sorry you feel we are over-promoting the petition but as you'll see most of our readers support our campaign. And given the amount of support for the petition we feel we're doing the right thing. The more signatures we can get, the better for when we present it to Phil Redmond! We take your point about children outside London getting involved, do tell us more about your "vested interest"!

 

It won't be the same without Miss Carver 21/7/02

Lauren writes from West Yorkshire: "I think it's a shame that the actress that plays Miss Carver has decided to quit Grange Hill, as she has been there for such a long time, and she acted out the tougher storylines really well.."

 

Grange Hill needs a revamp 14/7/02

Jo says: "Chances are you're probably aware but there was news on the Hollyoaks website about the new Grange Hill. There's hints about Mr Robson joining the new cast as well. By the way, I just thought I'd add that I'm a fan of the revamp. Grange Hill has been lacking somewhat in the past 5 or 6 years, before that when I was a kid it was brilliant! Much more realistic etc. The revamp might perhaps mean a new direction for the show and a new start."

Thanks Jo! Revamping is one thing but why moveGH halfway across the country, when everything they needed was in Elstree? The show was moved around for its first eight years and going to Elstree finally gave some consistency. Moving again is a backwards step surely? Mr Robson WILL be in the new series; check out our Cast Updates page for more details.

 

Keep it gritty and don't go backwards 12/7/02

He's been waiting a while but Matt Mills now finally delivers his views: "I must admit I'm not a regular viewer of the newer series although the Deverill (Wilcox) storyline was excellent. The location of Grange Hill doesn't really matter to me as long as it's explained fully, but if Phil Redmond wants to add more comedy to the series, I don't hope he'll go as far as having early Tucker Jenkins-style comedy in the new series! I also feel Mr Hankin needs to stay in the show as he's the only other character who's a link with the past and it would be a real shame for Lee Cornes to be axed. Perhaps Phil Redmond could introduce more Asian characters in Grange Hill as it's never had many and would appear more realistic, and also have disabled characters again.

"I hope most staff from Series 25 will appear, it would be stupid to only have Mr Robson. As Phil Redmond hasn't said much yet, I hope it will still have a gritty feel and not feel like a 2003 version of Series 1. (That's the impression I've got from the articles on the move I'm afraid!) I hope your hear more about the cast soon, I'm also signing the petition." Hi Matt. Well you're probably not going to like this but one of Phil Redmond's key objectives is to find another Tucker and Benny and to "put the fun back into Grange Hill". Mersey TV is insisting GH will remain a teen show. A full 2003 cast list will be available by the end of this month; sadly two teachers have been axed.

 

Keep GH in Elstree! 12/7/02

Jamie Howell adds his voice to the debate: "I still think it is crazy moving it all to Liverpool - keep it in Elstree!" Hi Jamie - I fear we may now be too late to stop the move! Filming for Series 26 began this month (July) in Liverpool so only divine intervention will chaneg that now. Still, if we carry on campaigning we might get Grange Hill back in London for 2004!

 

Cracker, I'll miss you! 15/6/02

Portia Roelofs will miss Cracker too: "I saw the reported cuts in the cast and just thought I'd air my view. I'm sad that Cracker is leaving, he was sweet and funny, I'm glad Mr. Robson is staying because i think it will help keep the storyline going and make the move of location more flowing. I really hope that Ian stays though!"

 

GH Elstree office closed down 08/6/02

Hot news from Sean Seymour: "I wrote to the BBC asking for cast photos and was sent a lot of them! I also got a letter from the Grange Hill co-ordinator who says there is now no Grange Hill department in Elstree, so she simply had to scavenge cupboards to find photos." Thanks Sean. We telephoned the old Grange Hill number at Elstree and were greeted by an answerphone message confirming the office was closed. Callers are told to call Mersey TV. However Grange Hill's coordinator, Clare Puxley, remains at Elstree to deal with enquiries about previous series. We will amend details on our CONTACT page, I'd better snap up some photos while I can!

 

I'll miss laughs from Cracker 08/6/02

Megan Adams laments the loss of Cracker: "I am both pleased & disappointed at the survivors & evictees from the previous series. I am disappointed that Cracker is leaving as he brought comedy to GH. I am glad that Mr Robson is returning, but I'd like to know if Mr Deverill does come back, how he is going to work his way back in when Mr Robson is there, as he knows about him. Maybe Mr Robson gets severe memory loss? I hope the move up to Liverpool will not spoil the quality of the programme. Reading magazines, a lot of people have been criticising "bad acting" in series 25, but I think it was excellent."

Well at least it won't be so bad with Mr Robson there Megan! Yes it is a shame about Cracker; as yet we don't know the fate of his Double Dare collaborators. You're right about Series 25 - it has had some unfair press in the magazines. Recently a TV Times reader won a prize for criticising "wooden acting" - I ask you!

 

New Grange Hill = Hollyoaks Mark II? 07/6/02

Haydn Davis writes: "My friends think that it is a bit weird for the school to burn down and then start again in Liverpool, how will they explain that? I have read some of the comments on the site and they do seem far fetched (even for Grange Hill) How could Mr Deverill come back to the school with so many of the pupils knowing what he did, are they going to kill them all off? One of my friends said that he thinks it is going to be like Hollyoaks now as that is another programme made by Phil Redmond..yeuch! Please put my message on your board as I want others to sign that petition too, they can't kill off all the teachers and pupils, it's just stupid."

Hi Haydn. Your friends are not alone, as you've probably gathered from this page! Still no details on how the move will be explained, or who died. But what a shame if we lost Mr Deverill. Actually, only a handful of people knew his true identity and nobody actually saw him in the staff room. So the evil one could return with another alias, using his customary blackmail to guarantee the silence of those wise to him. Don't know if GH will be a Hollyoaks clone but thanks for supporting our petition!

 

With any luck I'll meet Jess! 02/6/02

Jessica fan Colin Blanchard is relieved Leah is staying: "That's great news. hopefully now I'll be able to go down to Liverpool and take some pictures, maybe even talk to her since its so close. Are they likely to let me in and around?" You'll have to ask them Colin. Perhaps if you explain you're doing a web site on Jess they might be able to fix something...let us know how you get on!

 

Sally Geoghegan, axed as Miss Carver after seven yearsSally shouldn't have done pop video! 02/6/02

The Lilac Pilgrim has a theory: "If one of the two GH teachers in the S Club Junior video has been axed, it might mean that Mr Hankin is also going to be axed. I'll go and phone a psychiatrist right now shall I?" So that's what happens if GH stars appear in pop videos eh? We'll just put Sally's departure down to coincidence. Lee Cornes may yet return!

 

How will location change be explained?

Malcolm Neale has one thing on his mind: "The news about who goes and who stays on GH is very interesting. If they keep some of the old cast how are they going to explain that the new school is not in London? No doubt all will be revealed in time." Perhaps there might never be an explenation, although surely the fire victims will have to be accounted for. Only time will tell...

 

Oh no...not more Amy! 02/6/02

Les B has mixed views about the casting: "Just read update re next series. VERY pleased that Shannon and Kathy are returning. Not a great fan of Leah or Cracker. I was hoping that I had seen the last of Amy. I thought Mr Robson would have wanted to retire (he would in the real world !). The casting suggests we will find out what happened after the fire/explosion (though I suspect on a gradual basis) ? It seems that any of the old cast, that were prepared to film in Liverpool, will have been automatic "survivors". I am assuming that as filming does not start until July, the next Series will start later in the year, than usual." We're delighted to hear about Shannon and Kathy too - however we still don't know when Series 26 will air. Keep it here!

EARLIER COMMENTS: MARCH-MAY >

It's a while since the changes to Grange Hill were announced but YOUR SHOUT remains open for your views! Is moving to Liverpool be good for the programme or will things just not be the same? Send your comments via the E-MAIL button and we'll publish them here. Views expressed attach only to the sender.

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