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Grange Hill, the pioneering BBC drama that first aired in 1978, was a school where detention wasn't an idle threat and significant societal issues were highlighted. The show provided a realistic and candid portrayal of secondary school students' lives, addressing everything from racism and bullying to drug addiction and teenage pregnancy.

The programme ran for three decades, producing a large number of child actors, many of whom became familiar faces. However, while some remained in the spotlight, others disappeared from public view or faced personal struggles.

Here's a glimpse at what some of the most memorable stars are up to now.

Lee MacDonald (Zammo McGuire)

Zammo's distressing heroin addiction storyline in the mid-1980s became one of the most discussed plots in British television history. Lee MacDonald portrayed Zammo, a bright student whose plunge into addiction shocked viewers and ignited a nationwide campaign: the now-iconic Just Say No anti-drugs initiative, endorsed by Nancy Reagan herself, reports the Daily Record.

After departing Grange Hill, Lee found it challenging to secure acting roles, later confessing that his association with drug addiction - even though fictional - led to bias in casting offices. An enthusiastic amateur boxer, his sporting dreams were shattered by a car accident, leading him to establish a locksmith business in Wallington, Surrey.

However, Lee's television career was far from finished. He made appearances in The Bill, Celebrity Scissorhands, and even had a stint on EastEnders as Terry in 2019.

In 2020, he popped the question to his long-term partner Jess, with the couple tying the knot in 2022. More recently, in June 2024, Lee shared his skin cancer diagnosis but reassured fans that he was receiving treatment after an early detection.

Todd Carty (Tucker Jenkins)

Tucker Jenkins wasn't just a character; he was a cultural sensation. Portrayed by Todd Carty, Tucker was a rebel with a heart, whose popularity spawned the successful spin-off series, Tucker's Luck.

Post-Grange Hill, Todd's career took off, especially when he joined the cast of EastEnders as Mark Fowler in 1990. Mark's HIV diagnosis was a groundbreaking storyline for soaps and earned Todd critical praise.

He later switched gears entirely, playing the menacing PC Gabriel Kent in The Bill, a plotline that delved into dark and unsettling territory. Todd also gained unexpected fame on Dancing on Ice in 2009, when a mishap saw him inadvertently skate off the rink mid-performance - a moment that has since become a viral sensation.

Now aged 60, Todd resides in Muswell Hill with his long-term partner Dina Clarkin, a writer and producer. They have two sons and operate their own production company.

Susan Tully (Suzanne Ross)

Susan Tully, who played the feisty Suzanne Ross in the early '80s, later became a household name as Michelle Fowler in EastEnders. Her portrayal of a teenage mother, impregnated by none other than 'Dirty' Den Watts, made her one of the soap's most captivating characters.

However, it's behind the scenes where Susan has truly excelled. She transitioned to directing in the 1990s, subsequently helming high-profile shows such as Line of Duty, Tin Star, Silent Witness, and Too Close.

Renowned for her focused, character-centric style, she is now one of the most esteemed directors in British television.

John Alford (Robbie Wright)

Post-Grange Hill, John Alford enjoyed a promising career, finding further success in London's Burning and even embarking on a short-lived pop career. However, last year he was charged with four counts of sexual activity with a child, along with two charges - relating to a second female - of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

He is set to stand trial in August.

Terry Sue-Patt (Benny Green)

Terry Sue-Patt portrayed Benny Green, Grange Hill's first black character and a fan favourite. A gifted footballer discovered in a London park, he also featured in the hard-hitting Gary Oldman film The Firm.

Regrettably, Terry passed away in 2015 at the age of 50. His body was found in his Walthamstow flat, reportedly undiscovered for a month.

He struggled with alcoholism in his later years, and several cast members paid tribute to him on social media.

Erkan Mustafa (Roland Browning)

Enduring bullying on the show for his weight, Roland - affectionately known as "Roly" - became a character that many viewers felt sympathy for. Erkan Mustafa brought a great deal of heart to the role despite later revealing that he hadn't originally set out to become an actor.

After his stint on television, Mustafa continued with more low-profile acting and eventually transitioned into writing. He has reminisced positively about his time on Grange Hill in interviews, expressing his appreciation for the lasting friendships it afforded him.

Additionally, he appeared in a 2018 short film titled 'The All-Nighter. '

Donald Waugh (Joseph 'Hughesy' Hughes)

Donald Waugh, who portrayed the character Joseph 'Hughesy' Hughes in the late '70s, progressed from acting to work in theatre and enjoyed a fruitful career before facing a tough period marked by homelessness and alcohol addiction. Having overcome these hardships, Waugh now dedicates himself to aiding those with similar struggles and frequently engages with fans at reunions while being candid about his journey of recovery.

James Jebbia (Tommy Watson)

For an intriguing snippet of trivia, James Jebbia, the founder of the globally-renowned streetwear brand Supreme, was initially cast as Tommy Watson in the first series of Grange Hill. The character was later played by Paul McCarthy.

Jebbia departed from Grange Hill to move to New York, where he made his mark in the fashion industry. By 1994, he had established Supreme, a label which has achieved cult status and is valued well over $1 billion.

Although Jebbia is notably private, Vanity Fair reported that Supreme was raking in upwards of $500 million a year as of 2017.

Simone Nylander (Janet St Clair)

Janet, the kind-hearted and faithful companion of Roly, was portrayed by Simone Nylander from 1982 to 1986. Post-show, she ventured into production work, collaborating with Simon Fuller's 19 Management.

In 2020, she established SN Voices, a voiceover agency championing diverse talent, merging her love for performance and representation in the media.

Alison Bettles (Fay Lucas)

Alison Bettles embodied the character of Fay Lucas, a fan favourite, and was an integral part of the impactful Just Say No campaign. She pursued acting into the '90s, featuring in The Bill, No Strings, and an EastEnders wartime special, making her final appearance in 2001.

Currently a mother of four, Alison is a beauty therapist and reportedly manages a freight business. Two of her sons have followed her path, securing roles in Doctor Who and EastEnders.

Paula-Ann Bland (Claire Scott)

Paula-Ann Bland, who played Claire Scott, made waves when her diary fantasy about a teacher caused uproar. Off-camera, Paula-Ann Bland released a cover of The Loco-Motion and continued acting - even surprising audiences by posing topless for men's magazine Mayfair - before stepping away from the industry.

In the 1990s, she operated boutique shoe shops in London and started a PR firm. Now a mother of two, she has battled breast cancer and serves as an ambassador for The Good Grief Trust.

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