Children's Ward, the beloved CITV children's drama filmed in Greater Manchester, launched in 1989. Created by Paul Abbott and Kay Mellor, who were working together on Coronation Street at the time, it was filmed at Bolton General Hospital, now known as the Royal Bolton Hospital.
The programme, renamed The Ward from 1995 to 1998, was set in Ward B1, the children's ward of the fictitious South Park Hospital, known as Sparky's, and told the stories of the young patients and staff there.
Award-winning drama with hard-hitting storylines
Despite being aimed at children and teenagers, Children's Ward didn't shy away from difficult issues, with storylines involving cancer, alcoholism, drug addiction, and child abuse. It went on to win a number of awards, including a BAFTA Children's Award for Best Drama in 1997.
It ran for 12 series from March 1989 until May 2002, producing a total of 143 episodes, currently available to stream on ITVX.
Where are the young stars now?
Many of the young stars featured in Children's Ward have continued their acting careers, with appearances in Coronation Street, filmed in Salford, and Emmerdale.
William Ash made his first TV appearance at age 10 as Spike in Coronation Street back in 1987 before playing Darren Walsh in Children's Ward in 22 episodes from 1989 to 1991. The Chadderton-born actor has also appeared in Soldier Soldier, Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is, Clocking Off, Burn It and Waterloo Road. Will also appeared in ITV's The Loch, played Marvin in Wanderlust, and made a guest appearance in Casualty. Now, he is a fully-fledged soap star, having taken up the role of Caleb Milligan in Emmerdale back in 2022. Acting runs in the family, as William is the second cousin of Peter Ash, who played Paul Foreman in Corrie from 2018 to 2024.
Jeff Hordley's role in Children's Ward was brief, appearing also back in 1989 as Anderson. The actor, from Crumpsall, is best known for playing Cain Dingle in ITV soap Emmerdale. He joined the soap in 2000 and went on a three-year hiatus in 2006, returning in 2009. He is currently at the centre of a major storyline after Cain was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Jeff married his Emmerdale co-star Zoe Henry in 2003, and the couple share two children, Violet and Stan.
Jane Danson played one of Children's Ward's regular characters, Paula, from 1995 to 1997. Viewers will now best know the Bury-born actress for playing Leanne Battersby in Coronation Street, joining in 1997 as part of the Battersby family. She left in 2000, appeared in Always and Everyone and The Bill, and returned to Corrie in 2004. Jane, 47, has been married to Robert Beck since 2005, and they share two sons, Harry and Sam.
Samia Longchambon landed a small role as Charlotte in Children's Ward in 1995. She is now best known for playing Maria Windass in Corrie, having appeared on the soap as an extra when she was younger. In 2013, she joined Dancing On Ice, where she met her second husband, Sylvain Longchambon, marrying in 2016.
Alan Halsall, best known for playing Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street since 1998, played Ollie for five episodes in Children's Ward between 1997 and 1998. He also had roles in Queer as Folk, Heartbeat and The Cops. Alan, from Walkden, married former Coronation Street actress Lucy-Jo Hudson in 2009, and they have a daughter, Sienna-Rae. The couple split in 2016 and divorced in 2018.
Tina O'Brien bagged her first TV role on Children's Ward, playing Claire in 1997. She joined Corrie in 1999, and her character was part of a shock pregnancy storyline at the age of 12. Tina, now 43, left the role in 2008 and went on to star in Waterloo Road, returning to Corrie in 2015. Away from the cobbles, Tina was in a relationship with co-star Ryan Thomas from 2003 to 2009, and they have a daughter, Scarlett. Tina also has a son, Beau, with her husband Adam Crofts, whom she married in 2018.
Chris Bisson played JJ for 13 episodes from 1990, before having roles in Cops and Where the Heart Is. The Wythenshawe actor also appeared in Prime Suspect and Holby City, and as Vikram Desai in Coronation Street from 1999 to 2002. Chris, now 51, is probably now best recognised for his continuing role as Jai Sharma in Emmerdale, a role he has played since 2009. Chris has been in a relationship with Rowena Finn for more than 20 years, and they have a son, Harry, and a daughter, Ella Rose.
Will Mellor's acting credits stretch back to Children's Ward, where he played Ben Rowlingson in 1990. He later joined Hollyoaks as James 'Jambo' Bolton, and landed the role of Gaz Wilkinson in Two Pints of Lager. Will, now 45, made his debut in Coronation Street as drug lord Harvey Gaskell in 2021. Away from his TV roles, Will hosts a podcast with his Two Pints co-star Ralf Little called Two Pints with Will and Ralf.
Danny Dyer started out appearing in two episodes of Children's Ward, in 1989 and 1995. While his breakthrough role was as Moff in Human Traffic, he is also known for roles in Mean Machine and The Football Factory. In 2013, Danny joined the cast of EastEnders as Mick Carter, winning the Serial Drama Performance award at the National Television Awards three times. Since 2024, he has starred in Mr. Bigstuff and Rivals, winning the BAFTA Television Award for Best Male Comedy Performance for the former. Danny is married to Joanne Mas, and the couple shares three children: Dani, Sunnie and Artie.
