Can You Help? - February

Vince Oldham made a lucky find: "Hi again, At last info on the lovely Lindy Brill! Sad to see she's not acting any more though (she was one of the most underrated actresses in the series). Interesting reading about Paula Ann Bland's "Locomotion" 45. The pen/photo set must be very rare. I finally managed to pick up the 45 recently - though I don't think it was issued in a pic sleeve. Not exactly a chart-buster! (sorry Paula) but harmless enough." Thanks Vince - that's one for our music page in Collector's Corner! Nice to have some news about Lindy as you say, even if it's not what many people wanted to hear. Here's hoping we can track down some more of the early Grange Hill cast!

Whatever happened to Gemma? 16/2/02

Lucy White from Worcestershire asks: "Could you please give me some information about Maggie Mason who played Gemma Lyons? What did she do now? She's my fave actress and i'm hoping if she ever come back Grange hill to reuntied Lisa, Matt, Tom and Cracker??? Please let me know thanx." Hi Lucy. As you say, Maggie Left Grange Hill in 1999 and hasn't been seen on TV since. The last we heard she was doing her A-levels at a London school. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea if Gemma returned to Grange Hill - she'd be a great motivator for Lisa after her attack!

Ozzie's jamming days 16/2/02

Emma has been delving into Ozzie's shady past: "Did you know that Jon Newman aka Ozzie used to be in a band called Point Break! Jon had to leave because it was hard for him to carry on after he had his appendix out!" Hi Emma! Actually we didn't know Jon was in a band so thanks for sharing that with us. Shame he had to quit though - (or perhaps not, as he might never have got the part of Ozzie! Thanks for the movie clip!

Found: Cathy Hargreaves and Claire Scott! 16/2/02

GH Online regularly receives enquiries about two actresses from Grange Hill's early days - Paula Ann Bland, aka Claire Scott, and Lindy Brill who played Cathy Hargreaves. So far we've had no luck tracing either of them - until now!

L. Cervino writes: "Paula is married with one son, and is now known as Paula Triplett. She works in a shoe shop in the Kings Road, London." Meanwhile Louise Bennett has e-mailed to say: "Lindy Brill now works as an office assistant in an Oxford Publishing company, Reed Educational & Professional Publishing. So no more treading the boards for her!" So THAT's where they ended up! Thanks for letting us know. And if anyone else knows the whereabouts of any ex-Grange Hill actors, we'd love to hear from you!

UPDATE: GH behind-the-scenes special 16/2/02

Gavin remembers another GH backstage programme: "There was also a behind the scenes special made during Series 6. The programme was called Take Two. It centered on the trip to Wales with Roland and Co. I did have this but as it was only 15 minutes long it was taped over." Hi Gavin, and sorry you taped over the show. It seems Take Two (a 1980s children's TV magazine) paid regular visits to Grange Hill - shame we don't have anything like that now. If anyone's got a copy of this film let us know!

GRANGE HILL VIDEOS WANTED!

The following people are looking for video copies of Grange Hill. If you are willing to help any of the correspondents below, please get in touch with them directly at the e-mail address shown, or via GH Online.

Hi I was wondering if you could help me. I'm trying to get hold of some old Grange Hill videos with the character Ted played by Ian Condon-Lee. I think he was in it from 1985 till about 1990. I would be very grateful if you could point me in the right direction of geting hold of a few videos. Cheers!!

Contact Robert Attridge via the usual GH Online address.

I am really keen to is to get hold of Grange Hill episodes I have missing. Perhaps you might be willing to copy me episodes?

Contact Steve West via the usual GH Online address.

Ian Hudson says hello! 12/2/02

Our next correspondent needs no introduction: "Hi, John Hudson (Ian Hudson) here. Hope you are enjoying the new series. Watch out for the big end of series cliffhanger - and the hate growing between Ian and Mr Deverill. It's gonna get nasty! Cheers." Hi John, and thanks for getting in touch! Can't wait to see Ian's clashes with Mr Deverill - boy does that bloke need cutting down to size! Thanks for supplying info for Star File - look out for your page in the next few weeks. Good luck to yourself and your colleagues for the future!

Put Franco in the Star File! 12/2/02

John asks: "Hi, I was wondering if you could put in a star file for Franco Savi as he was my favourite character? Thank you." Hi John. Much as we'd love to helpwe have very little info about Francesco Bruno, who played Franco. However, if you visit Roll Call you'll find Francesco's date of birth. Sorry we can't help but the message above might interest you...

TV reviewers stuck in past - GH writer 12/2/02

Si Spencer, Grange Hill scriptwriter and former series editor, is unhappy about Grange Hill's treatment by the press: "Just a quick note as this seems to be a suitable place to air a minor grievance, given that it's for fans but that journalists also seem to chance upon it. Why do so many of them when reviewing a new series of the Hill seem to ignore their preview tape and instead talk about when they used to watch the show as kids? Virtually every reviewer mentions the old theme tune, Tucker Jenkins, and how scary the school seemed to them back then. There's been a few in recent years who've made a good effort to actually watch the show (Thanks Charlie Brooker and Victor Lewis Smith by the way - ironically two of the toughest TV journoes in the business) but most use the advent of a new series to wallow in nostalgia. Nothing against nostalgia in its place, that after all is partly what your site's about, but please journos.. review the episode you were sent?? PS: A fleeting glimpse spotted of Renee Montemayor in The Fifth Element!! She never mentioned that one to me!"

Hello again Si! Yes it is unfortunate that many journalists only want to discuss the old Grange Hill; we see this far too often when TV programmes do a feature on the show. When the show celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1998, nearly all the daytime TV features were nostalgia-based (apart from GMTV which invited Laura Sadler and Peter Morton on their show). Why not invite these reviewers to the studio? It'll be more difficult to ignore preview tapes if watched with the production team! Our advice to any journos looking in: come join us in the present!

Charlie is me darlin'! 10/2/02

Craig asks: "Could you tell me how old Charlotte McDonagh who plays Lisa West is in real life please? Also do you by any chance know where she lives? Do all the stars live in London?" Hi Craig. Charlie is 17 - her birthday is 6th September 1984. We don't know where she lives but many of the Grange Hill cast come from Essex, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire as well as London itself. A bus picks up the cast on filming days and brings them all to Elstree. For more info on Charlie check out her Star File here!

Mark Savage Gripper returns to the limelight 10/2/02

Andrew Startup has news of one of Grange Hill's best-loved actors: "Here is a current picture of Mark Savage (Gripper Stebson), who it appears is still acting. From his CV in The Spotlight he has been in Race with the Devil, a short film made in 2001 playing a character called Cabby. Also Top Ten Villains (Channel 4), Never in Caglsga, a 1999 film playing a character called Pistols. He appeared in Morrissey's music video, Dagenham Dave in 1995, Shoot to Kill on stage in 1990. QRS & AIS on stage in 1986 as AB Slater."

Thanks Andrew - it's great to have Mark back in the acting world again. We'll look out for the shows you mention - Mark says one of his ambitions would be to play a baddie in EastEnders. Now that would be fantastic!

GH behind-the-scenes special 10/2/02

Hello now to Michael: "You probably know (maybe not) there was a Grange hill behind the scenes special in 1988 which was reepated a year or so later. It involved a clipping from the 1988 series showing Vince and Trevor carrying a table and Vince broke the fire alarm with the table. I was only 11 then - yes it got taped and WIPED!! I really hoped they would show it again in 1996 in between the 1987/88 series repeats (sadly not), wish they would show it again." Hi Michael - we didn't know about this show so thanks for the details. It would have been nice to see it while the 1988 series was rerun, but the BBC probably felt the programme was out of date.

* Have YOU got a video of the special Michael refers to? If so we'd love a copy, so press that "Mail Me" button!

Total number of shows so far 10/2/02

Jim Palmer has been doing his sums: "Further to your request, a total of 461 editions of Grange Hill have been made, excluding Chistmas specials of which I do remember one being shown but don't know of a second. The figure doesn't include the current series so it would go to 479 this year. The odd number is due to 9 episodes being made in the first series, these days it's a regular 20 episodes per series although it did vary in the early days, from 16 in series 3 up to 24 in series 9 and 10, 18 was the norm for the other early series." Thanks Jim - looks like you've hit the nail on the head! There are two Christmas specials we know of, in 1981 and 1987. Won't be long before the figure tops 500 then!

Give us back our end credits! 08/2/02

Several of you have expressed your disgust that CBBC is not showing the Grange Hill end credits, often relegating them to a TV screen behind the CBBC presenters. Les B writes "I do not like the way that CBBC do not show credits at end of the programme now. It is an insult to all those associated with the programme."

Malcolm Neale feels the same way: "The new series looks to be shaping up well, but why do they not show the full end credits. It sems such a waste for the producers to put on credits when they are reduced to matchbox size just to give over-inflated presenters a few extra seconds of air time. Bring back the full end credits! Also, are there really only going to be 18 episodes this time? A great web site."

Well rest assured you aren't alone Les and Michael. We agree the end credits should be shown in full as it's nice to know who produced Grange Hill as well acted in it. If you would like the BBC to show the credits in full (on ALL CBBC shows and not just Grange Hill), why not write to the controller of CBBC, Nigel Pickard. His address is Nigel Pickard, Controller of Children's Programming, BBC Television, Shepherd's Bush, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ. If enough people complain the Beeb might listen! And Malcolm, yes there are only 18 episodes this year but there's a nail-biting cliffhanger at the end!

More fascinating Grange Hill facts 08/2/02

Les B has some more things you might now know about Grange Hill: "After reading through the past archive files, here is a lot of trivia you may or may not be interested in.

"1. Nicholas Donnelly (Mr McKenzie, the Scottish woodwork teacher), was for many years in Dixon of Dock Green, playing Sgt.Wills." Now that I definitely didn't know - Dixon was before my time! We have seen Nicholas in a 1979 cheese advert though.

"2. Nice to hear up to date news on Lisa York and Nina Fry. Melanie Hiscock as Mandy Freemont, was good and she deserved another two series in the Sixth Form (after all she was supposed to be, the brightest girl in the school). She played a secretary in The Bill, not long after her Grange Hill days." Yes it is a shame we didn't see more of Melanie; nice to know she appeared in other shows.

"3. Did not know Paula Ann Bland was from the North East, though she appeared in an episode of Spender. Did not know Rebekah Joy Gilgan (Fran Williams), was a Geordie either, she sounds more like a Yorkshire lass. Rebecca appeared in a TV play with Tim Healy, called The Leek. She also played a bank teller (very fleetingly) in the film Purely Belter. She was good in Emmerdale, her friend's mother also being an ex Grange Hill teacher (Philomena McDonagh, also a TV writer). Thanks for naming her character, Debby Buttershaw, as she is surprisingly not listed in the Emmerdale companion." To be honest we're not sure if Rebekah is a Geordie or Yorkshire lass! But her agent is based in Newcastle. My guess is she's Geordie if she did a film with Tim Healy.

"4. Melissa Wilks (Jackie Wright) appeared (before GH) in an episode of The Professionals called You'll Be Alright.

"5. Both Sam Bardens (Adam - is he still in prog ?), and Robert Stuart (Matt) were in a sci-fi story on TV, about 3 years ago. I think it might have been Ultraviolet." Unfortunately Sam has now left Grange Hill, but prior to landing the part of Adam he appeared in the c5 children's show Anything's Possible.

"6. Stuart Organ (Mr Robson), used to be (before GH), Harry Cross's son in Brookside.

"7. Darren's mother (?) Ros Mayer is played by Cindy Shelley, who was Alice in Tenko and Abby in Howard's Way." Ros is actually Darren's stepmum (technically); she co-habits with Darren's dad but they aren't married.

"8. I read that Helen McDonagh (Mary Macarthy, 1993), was a real gypsy. What happened to her?" Answers on a postcard please! The BBC have no forwarding address for Helen, and neither does Spotlight. Do YOU know where Helen is now?

"9. I never found out if Peter and Sally Morton are related?" No they're not. But it's a spooky coincidence they both have the same agent!

"10. Charlie McDonagh (Lisa) was shown studying at Sylvia Young School, on a programme on TV last year, called Child Stars/Little Darlings." Yes, we saw that last year. A shame Charlie wasn't interviewed in the programme while Lee MacDonald (Zammo) was - their tales would have made a good comparison.

"11. I estimate there have been about 465 episodes of GH to date (excluding current Series).

"12. My awards for the programme: (Pupils only).
Best Actor: Todd Carty (Tucker Jenkins).
Best Actress: Amy Simcock/Phillips (Jessica Arnold) (her talent wasted in the dreadful Knight School).
Worst Actor: Terry Kinsella (Jimmy Flynn).
Worst Actress: The girl who played Anita Unsworth.
Programme peaked at Series 19 (The Grease concert). Worst series No 22, (though this current Series must improve dramatically, unless it wants to take the title)."

Thanks ever so for all that Les; plenty to get our teeth into! The actress who played Anita Unsworth was Joanne Boakes (1980-1984). If YOU have some interesting GH trivia send it to us at the usual address!

Gavin's Grange Hill trivia 08/2/02

Hello now to Gavin, who's full of fascinating facts about Grange Hill: "Nice site. I consider myself a bit of an expert on GH up to 1998 - I have 350 episodes on video. I can help with many things... I have a story about Brian Capron (Mr Hopwood, and now Richard in Corrie) who I met at drama class. He said that Erkan Mustafa (Roland) used to go round the London underground on his way home going up to people saying 'hi I am Erkan I'm famous!'. Paula Ann Bland (Claire Scott) used to live near me too. Before she moved to Croydon and lived with Peter Moran (Pogo). I'm rambling. I can answer one thing now..

Re Xmas specials - two have been made. The first was in 1981 - Blue Peter viewers had to chose a storyline which was made into an Xmas special and the winner appeared as extra. Episode was shown...but many parts of the country had power cuts. Episode re-shown on a Saturday morning. No-one knew about it!..hence few can remember it. It was crap really all about the Brookies and Grange Hill lot and hw having a party disco for them all would hopefully get them to get on! Didn't work! The other one was in the Gonch era - cue Harriet the Donkey.

The first School to be used in Grange Hill was Willesdon Green High School for the first 4 series. Series 5 moved to Hammersmith (Strange really - Willesdon is in a quiet part of North London. Hammersmith a busy part just outside). After that Elstree came into the equation.

If you look carefully in series six (1983), Duane (Mark Baxter) does little walking at all. Also after this you rarely see him...the reason is because he had serious problems with his legs and had to have operations. I understand he has recovered now and has family. Lisa Geoghan (Polly in The Bill) did not apear in Grange Hill. She appeared in the 2nd series only of Tuckers Luck....27 episodes of Tuckers Luck in all 3 series. Lisa York can be e-mailed if you sign up with Friends Re-United....I think she is listed at Italia Conti...John Pickard is also registered...sorry I forget where.. probably Sylvia Young or IC. Paula Ann Bland's single The Locomotion failed to chart - The first few had a free pen and a pic of her in school uniform. I have an autograph from her and a cool letter chatting about things...a treasured possession. I also have a letter from Alison Bettles..this though was rather abrupt.

The Grange Hill videos were released long before 1986...try 1981 and 1982. £35 each...not joking. Lindy Brill (Cathy Hargreaves) joined a band and represented the UK in the heats for Eurovision. I think it was around 1983....they didn't represent us at Eurovision though. I think they finished 4th. The group were appalling...I remember that!

Wow...you certainly are something of an expert aren't you Gavin! The second Christmas special was in 1987; Harriet the Donkey appeared in the series earlier that year. We think the school used for Series 3 and 4 wasn't the one from the first two series - anyone know where it was? If you've anything more to add Gavin, you know where we are!

Was Dani a Grange Hill graduate? 05/2/02

Hello again to Sean: "Is it true Dani Behr was in Grange Hill? Also, I heard some say there are over 400 episodes. I thought 'oh that's a lot!' - is it true? Thanks." Hello again Sean. Dani made fleeting appearances in two episodes in 1989. The first time Dani appeared was in the assembly where Mrs McClusky announced the death of Danny Kendall. Then she appeared in the final episode, as a girl queuing for a drink at the Hollywood prom.

Oddly enough we don't know exactly how many episodes of Grange Hill there have been. During the 1980s there were occasional Christmas specials, and the number of episodes per series has been tweaked over the years. I'd say between 400-500 shows to date sounds about right.

* Does anyone know EXACTLY how many episodes of Grange Hill there have been up to 2001? Drop us a line - very useful info for the History Zone!

Great site, says GH's script editor! 04/2/02

Now some praise from the powers-that be: "Hi. Si Spencer here, having just been put onto the existence of your website by some of the production team at the Hill. What can I say? An excellent, responsible and intelligent site for any fan of the show. I'm especially thrilled with your description of series 24 as the most hard-hitting ever as I was responsible for the storylining and script editing. Keep up the good work mate and hope you're enjoying the new series."

Hi Si, and many thanks for your endorsement. We certainly are enjoying the new series, and we'll keep up the winning formula here at GH Online. Great to hear from you and keep up the good work!

Where has Arnie gone? 02/2/02

Let's start February with Hannah James from Cardiff: "I was just wandering, does Arnie (Aidan J David) have any scences in this series of Grange Hill? If so, what dates are they? please email them back to me." Hi Hannah. Sadly, Arnie has now left Grange Hill and won't be in the new series. He wasn't supposed to be there last year really - he was repeating his final year because of his epilepsy. Still, Aidan might be back on our screens soon in other programmes. Sorry about that but hope you like the photo!