Can You Help? - December

Your Grange Hill Christmas Gift ideas UPDATED 13/12/01

We asked you to send us your Christmas gift ideas for Grange Hill characters - past or present. And we've had some wacky ideas - Talis Simpson says: "I'd give Chris Longworth (Ben Freeman) a permanent girlfriend, Arnie some new roller hockey gear or Dill and Colin Becky!" I'm sure Arnie and Colin would love their presents Tali - but would Chris know how to keep a girlfriend!

While Darren Stokes returns to the late 1980s for his recipient: "I'd give Ant Jones a Tony and guy voucher so he could get that silly Mullet Quiff cut of because it looks daft!" Well Darren, I suspect Ant wouldn't have agreed with you at the time, but I doubt he'd still have the quiff today!

Mike would give some advice, firstly to Vince Savage: "Remember 1987 and Vince Savage and losing so many ties and so on? I would tell him to tie his tie back to front when Imelda cut it or at least tuck it partly down his shirt to avoid people seeing it cut"

And for Matthew Pearson, Mike has more words of wisdom: "I would advise him to never start wearing V-neck jumpers again and also not to bother fastening top buttons on shirts anymore, it made him look so much like a grandad - what a mummy's boy!, at least he started to wear his tie thin and abolished the jumper."

Finally, Wendy Garde strikes a blow for Girl Power: "Trisha Yates - Trick bubble gum (which makes your mouth turn blue) to get her own back on Tucker Jenkins. Alan Humphries,Pogo Patterson and Roland exercise bikes That's all I can think of. Happy Christmas to all GH Fans."

Thanks for all your present ideas folks! As Wendy says, Merry Christmas!

Characters out, characters in... 18/12/01

Jane wonders if two girls from GH's early days were meant to be the same: "Great site by the way, it has brought back many memories, I started secondary school in the same year (1978) that Grange Hill started so it was always in my life back in those days and I really related to it!

"I have always wondered why Duane started off being friends with Tracey (Mandy Mealing) and then in the next series there was no Tracey but there was a Clare (Paula Ann Bland) and it was as if it was supposed to have been the same person, there was no mention of a change over or reason..... do you know the answer? There's some trivia for you!!! Thanks, keep up the good work!"

Hi Jane - this is a juicy one. Tracey and Claire were definitely two seperate characters - Claire's mum was played by Jennifer Piercey, while Mrs Edwards (Tracey's racist mum) was Barbara Bermel. It's not uncommon for Grange Hill - and other dramas - to drop characters and bring in new ones to replace them. Often no explanations are given in the script for someone's departure but viewers do notice! This still happens in today's Grange Hill - Katy (Emma Waters) replaced Zoe (Jade Williams) in the Year 9 class last year while Sarah-Jane Webster also vanished. There are many more examples in the GH archives!

Info wanted on Adam and Matt! 18/12/01

Kate has e-mailed from Leeds: "Hi. I really like your website - thanks for putting it up! Do you know where I could find any information on Adam Sopp or Robert Stuart please? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks." Hi Kate! Adam, who plays Darren, was born on 27th August 1986, so he's 15. Robert - aka Matt - turned 18 on October 7th. Both will be in the new series of Grange Hill which begins in January. Glad you like the site and keep visiting!

Star of The Bill in Grange Hill? 18/12/01

Clare asks: "I wondered of you could tell me who Lisa Geoghan, the actress from the Bill, played in Grange Hill?" Hello Claire. To be honest we're not sure if Lisa appeared in Grange Hill; if she did, it would probably have been as an extra because she was never listed on the end credits. Having said that, Lisa DID appear in Tucker's Luck (the Grange Hill spin-off) playing art student Sarah Gill. Maybe this is where you saw her?

* If you know whether Lisa Geoghan appeared in Grange Hill or not, drop us a line!

Help me find my Companion 18/12/01

Jamie Howell is after some Grange Hill books: "Please help me get hold of that grange hill official companion by Phil Redmond and Andrew Corrie. I am desperate. Hope you will spread the word around for me. I have tried loads of book searches and nothing but only novels. If you can help please e-mail me at JamieHwll@aol.com"

Hi Jamie. Sorry you've had no luck getting the GH companion - it seems to be rather elusive these days. But if you have a copy you're willing to let Jamie have, please drop him a line!

Tell us about Trevor 12/12/01

Sara Taylor asks: "Where can I find info on Trevor Cleaver (John Drummond) The only website on him seems to be out of action. Can you help?" Hi Sara. John Drummond is best know for playing Trevor between 1985 and 1991, but he first appeared in Grange Hill in 1983, playing Barry, a mate of Jeremy Irvine's from Rodney Bennett. John continues to act today. Most recently, he was spotted in "Casualty" and "The Bill" - you might also have seen him playing a policeman in Channel 5's "Sister Said". Hope this helps!

My Video Vault Christmas list 10/12/01

Peter enjoyed the Danny Kendall clips in the Video Vault, and has plenty of ideas for future clips: "I never saw the Kendall episode before but I know the scene (part 4) was used for a few seconds in From Grange Hill to Albert Square and Beyond. Other video clips you could use are:

1. Sean pulls a knife on Alec in the boy's toilets (1998). The acting was excellent.
2. Mr Scott confronts Trevor Cleaver and almost punches him (1987);
3. Bronson has a tirade at Ant Jones "I am exceptionally tired of your perennial lateness, rudeness and because you are always blaming Mr Baxter" (1986);
4. The Swimming pool scene where Jeremy Irvine dies, it was quite a striking scene (1984);
5. The scene in the 1993 series where Mick from the cigarette gang is playing cricket and defends Mr Brisley against taunts for being gay;
6. Baxter and Bronson argue over Ant Jones and Baxter accuses Bronson of having an obsession with Ant (1986);
7. The blonde haired football hooligan ringleader puts his arm round Robbie and commends him after the football fracas (1990);
8. Anything between Hollo and Gonch in the 1985 series."

Hi Peter - excellent ideas for the Video Vault! I'll see what I can do. We're in the process of transferring our clips to another server, so hopefully the Video Vault will be expanding. Watch this space!

Name DJ Ian's character 10/12/01

Dave Davies has spotted a familiar face: "I know the DJ at Pulse Dance club in Stevenage used to be in Grange Hill, Iwas just wandering who he played his name is DJ Ian C Lee. I've sent a photo to refresh your memory, I was just wandering if you could help? Thanks.." Hi Dave. Ian played Ted Fisk in Grange Hill from 1988 to 1992. Originally Ted was Mauler's sidekick but after Mauler left he became Chrissy Mainwaring's boyfriend and the father of her baby. Ian still acts occasionally - you may have seen him in "The Queen's Nose" in 1999.

Who played Mrs McClusky? 10/12/01

"Can you sort out a family argument - Who played Mrs McClusky? There's a lot riding on this - Hubby has to hoover and scrub for a month if I'm correct! Thanks." Hi. The actress who played Grange Hill's headmistress was Gwyneth Powell. Since leaving GH Gwyneth has appeared in "A Touch Of Frost" and "Holby City". Is this the answer your husband was hoping for? Let us know!

Julie Marchant tracked down! 04/12/01

Darren Stokes wanders what became of his Grange Hill crush: "Does anyone know what happened to Lisa York, who played Julie Marchant? Have there been any sitings at Sainsbury's ? When I was a kid I fancied her big time !!!!!!!!" Hi Darren. According to Friends Reunited, Lisa turned her back on acting after Grange Hill. After leaving Italia Conti she travelled for a while before working in the Stock Exchange. Nowadays she is a full-time mum to her two children, aged 2 and 5. So I doubt you'll spot her at your local supermarket!

Mr Hankin's full of Bean! 02/12/01

Matt Miils has been letter writing: "I received a letter from Lee Cornes yesterday as well as a signed photo. Lee told me how he was thrilled to act Mr Hankin's storylines in this year's series, as, of course, he has done so many light-hearted scenes. Lee also said that he has written many episodes of "Mr Bean- The Animation", which is to be shown next year, I saw him in episodes of Blackadder and The Young Ones. I also have news on Lisa Hammond (Denny) - she has appeared in a play entitled Shoot Me In The Heart, which has toured Britain and has recently toured France. There are two pictures of Lisa and the other leading actors on the site whose address is http://www.lafiature.asso.fr/saison/temps-forts/folies/toldby-eng.htm

Hi Matt - thanks for updating us on Lee's current projects. Writing, stand-up comedy, science teaching - there seems to be no end to Lee's talents! Hence we're really looking forward to the Mr Bean cartoon. Nice to hear about Lisa too - would be nice to see her on screen again!

A Star File on Doyle 02/12/01

Jenz asks: "Hi. I think you should put Doyle in the star file - he's the best!" Hi Jenz. Much as we'd love to oblige, I'm afraid there isn't any information available on Vincent Hall, who played Doyle. Like many other ex-GH actors he's vanished into the wilderness I'm afraid! Still, if anyone knows Michael's whereabouts please get in touch with us!

* EDITORIAL NOTE: Mickey Doyle was Grange Hill's first bully back in 1978. His dad was a local councillor so he thought he could get away with anything! Doyle's storylines included stealing an antique gun, bullying Benny Green and getting elected to the school council, where he served his own ends and was eventually sacked. Yet one man always put Doyle in his place - the mighty Tucker Jenkins!