Grange Hill Online: Can You Help?

GRANGE HILL SET DEMOLISHED 18/11/02

Si Spencer: "Just taking a few minutes out from my Eastenders schedule to pass on some sad news... 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 (even though I did my level best to blow it up in series 24 hee hee)."

Hi Si! Nice to hear from you again; shame about the set though. So what'll they use it for now? "Well the old place was always used as a car park anyway on days when we weren't shooting (which is why people used to marvel at how flash the anonymous members of staff's cars were I guess - not teachers but highly paid BBC execs) I imagine that's why they've knocked down the buildings."

Oh and one other thing. Any ideas why the new GH badge has been ditched? "As far as the badge goes, that would be a decision made by Phil Redmond and his design people, so I wouldnt have a clue. I imagine it's part of the back-to-basics (or Year Zero) ethos of the new series. Ooops... also, the absolutely fantastic Kate Bell is appearing in a late night C4 programme which I think is called 'Offenders'." Thanks for that Si. "Year Zero" ethos - sounds scary! Let's hope we find out what happened after the fire... Good luck with Holby, we'll look out for Kate!

Precious' Bond role 18/11/02

When he's not watching Grange Hill, Kerr Avon is a keen 007 fan: "I am sure an ex-GH actress appeared in Timothy Dalton's first Bond movie The Living Daylights as a CIA agent. I think her GH character was called Precious?" Sopt on Kerr. Dulice Liecier played Precious Matthews in GH from 1981-85. After leaving she had a minor role in EastEnders - didn't know she appeared in a Bond film though!

Martin's Story 18/11/02

Nicki Branch asks: "Please could you let me know when any eisodes of Grange Hill with Martin Miller (a boy with Aspergers Syndrome) are due to be repeated on TV. Thank you." Hi Nicki. Martin was introduced in Series 24 (2001); the CBBC channel is currently repeating Series 23 so there could be a repeat coming up! Grange Hill is on every weekday at 2:50pm on CBBC.

Mixed views on badge axing UPDATED 11/11/02

Following the news the latest Grange Hill badge is to be axed, Sean Seymour is in two minds: "I'd like to say however happy I am about the new badge being dismissed I am shocked at the way they have just gotten rid of it realisticly speaking what do they think they are playing at they can't just decide to abolish the newer badge surely parents would go psycho it seemed last year to be the richer flasher kids who could afford the new badged blazer and now look at it just being treated like it never existed." Hi Sean. Lots of people liked the old GH badge and they're probably delighted it's staying, but it does seem mysterious the new look is being dumped so soon. And parents probably would go mad having to buy another new uniform. Maybe we'll find out why in the new series; who knows?

Malcolm Neale agrees with Sean: "I don't know about you, but I was pleased to read that GH are reverting to the old badge, that one is definitely my favourite of the three. I wonder if they will have a new signature tune, or maybe they will use the one that us old timers remember best (wasn't it called Chicken Man?)"

And so does Michael: "Just read about getting rid of the new badge. I must admit I share your sentiments after all I don't think Max and/or his design can ever be held in the same esteem as Danny's design. It is unrealistic to axe it after a year but it was so horrid, it looked like someone had been sick over it and then thrown the remnants of a muck heap on to it! It would be disrespectful to Danny too to bin his idea and was when Max came up with the Idea, after all Danny can not defend himself (obviously bearing In mind It Is fiction, hinder's this also). For as much as a rogue Danny was, like Mrs McClusky said in 1986, "Your design will be around a-lot longer than any of us for example". You can't really forget Danny, for the talent and contribution he was to the show in general, like I say he must go down In history permantly and not be forgot for this alone (the badge/new uniform). Ps hope they have abolished the sweatshirt too and gone back to original V-neck jumpers, I am unsure though about It was the richer kids wearing the new uniform, I thought the fleece was cheap-tack and bearing in mind it was optional I would never have worn it! Finally Martin's family never appeared poor and neither he or Ben wore the new uniform."

Tina Mahon tracked down! 13/11/02

For a while we've been trying to find out what happened to Tina Mahon, who played Ronnie Birtles in the 1980s. Rachel Howlett solves the mystery: "Tina is working in the enrolment office at City and Islington College! I spoke to her there last week! Don't know if she married John Alford."

Hi Rachel; thanks for telling us. Obviously Tina's given up acting; still nice to have found her. Why not ask Tina to contact GH Online - we'd love to know more!

Never mind Roland...Zammo appears on Buzzcocks 13/11/02

Andrew Startup writes: "I don't know if you saw Never Mind the Buzzcocks recently, but Lee MacDonald (Zammo) was on it, in the part where the panel have to guess from five people who is a person from either a group, or is a solo artiste. Mark Lamarr kept dropping hints as to who the panel should pick. I also believe Lee also appeared on the Frank Skinner show a while ago, in a sketch about Prince Harry needing a minder. At the end of the sketch, Frank (as Prince Harry) made a comment about him having been found a minder. Cue the old Grange Hill theme, and the door opened to reveal what looked like Lee standing there." Thanks Andrew; hmm! "Buzzcocks" contacted GH Online a while ago because they wanted Erkan Mustafa (Roland) on the show. But we couldn't help, looks like they got Lee instead!

Charlie fits The Bill 13/11/02

Another Grange Hill favourite is back on our screens: "Just to let you know Charlie McDonagh is listed in the cast for The Bill next Thursday (21st). Not sure, but reading between the lines, she could be the daughter of one of the officers. Nice to see Julie Buckfield back in Hollyoaks, so might start watching it again." Thanks Les B - we knew Charlie wouldn't be in the wilderness for long. She'll probably feel quite at home; joining many ex-Hillers at Sun Hill!

The series editor's verdict 06/11/02

Sarah Conroy, Grange Hill's Series Editor, writes: "What a great site. It's a shame the series has now moved on but I hope Mersey TV does it proud and keeps, at least, some of the characters. Keep up the good work." Thanks Sarah, welcome to GH Online! And congratulations on such a great series. You'll be pleased to hear Mersey TV are keeping most of the cast - visit our Close Up Special for more details. Thanks for your kind comments, and for keeping us entertained!

Goodbye Laurie, hello Movies 06/11/02

Les B spotted a Grange Hill favourite: "Just to let you know the film Goodbye Charlie Bright, featuring Sian Welsh (aka Laurie) was on Sky Movies Max 1 next Wednesday (6th Nov) at 10.00pm. It's also available on DVD and video." Thanks Les - good to hear Sian is still acting. So we won't miss that!

Latest YOU BOY! out now 02/11/02

The latest issue of You Boy! - newsletter of the Michael Sheard Appreciation Society, has just been published. For your free copy send as SAE to Adrian Sherring, 35 Colville Road, Edmonton, London N9 7QN. So don't miss it Bronson fans!