The BBC is reportedly developing a revival of the iconic children's television series Grange Hill, seventeen years after the beloved school drama last appeared on screens.
A New Generation of School Drama
The original teatime programme, which captivated audiences from 1978 to 2008, will not simply be a nostalgic trip for former viewers. According to television insiders, the reboot will have a completely different atmosphere and appearance as it tackles the contemporary challenges facing today's young people.
An industry source told The Sun: 'Grange Hill is very much viewed as being a show which was 'of its age' due to the kinds of subjects it touched upon.' They added: 'But they still think it has huge scope to be refashioned to deal with topics that chime with today's youngsters — from trans issues to online trolling.'
From Classic Characters to Modern Problems
The original series featured numerous beloved characters who became household names, including Peter 'Tucker' Jenkins, portrayed by EastEnders star Todd Carty. His memorable catchphrase 'flippin' 'eck' proved so popular it spawned his own spin-off programme, Tucker's Luck.
Other notable pupils from the series included:
- Alan Humphries (played by Bill star George Armstrong)
- Benny Green (the late Terry Sue-Patt)
- Suzanne Ross (EastEnders star Susan Tully)
- Steven Banks (Tim Polley)
- Sammy 'Zammo' McGuire (Lee MacDonald)
While the original groundbreaking series addressed difficult subjects including AIDS and drug abuse, the new version aims to resonate with contemporary viewers by focusing on issues that barely existed when Grange Hill first aired.
No Nostalgia Trip for Original Fans
The television insider emphasised that the revival will likely disappoint older viewers hoping for a nostalgic experience. 'Many of these weren't problems when Grange Hill was first on our screens, so it's likely to look and feel very different,' they explained. 'So any new reboot is likely to be a turn off for the older generation tuning in to the new show for some kind of nostalgic trip down memory lane.'
Grange Hill was created by Phil Redmond, who later developed Channel 4 soaps Brookside and Hollyoaks. The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for official comment regarding the reboot rumours.
Where Are They Now? Zammo's Health Warning
The news comes after Lee MacDonald, who played Zammo McGuire between 1982 and 1987, recently discussed his cancer scare during a July appearance on Good Morning Britain.
The actor revealed he had a health scare a year ago that was ultimately found to be non-cancerous, but more recently discovered a pre-cancerous spot called keratosis that requires treatment. 'It could turn cancerous,' MacDonald warned viewers.
He attributed his skin condition to his previous use of sunbeds, confessing: 'Before I went to nightclubs years ago, I would lay on sun bed for an hour a week. That was from... I'd do a Tuesday and a Thursday from 17, up until I was about 26. That's what the doctor said it is.'
MacDonald now emphasises sun safety, particularly during fishing trips with his son, noting that even cloudy days can pose risks from UV rays. His father previously developed skin cancer on his arm from repeated sun exposure while driving.
The actor took to X (formerly Twitter) in June 2024 to share his diagnosis, urging followers: 'As we older please keep an eye on anything unusual and hopefully get it looked at early!!!'
