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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Grange Hill reunion as Zammo, Roly, Janet and Tucker actors enjoy catch up

Iconic Grange Hill actors held a mini reunion, 14 years since the classic school drama left our screens.

Lee MacDonald, who played cheeky chap Zammo, shared a snap on Instagram with himself and fellow cast members Erkan Mustafa, Simone Nylander and Todd Carty.

The foursome smiled at the camera as they wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders, and kept it casual in shirts, tee shirts and trousers.

Lee wrote in the caption: "Mini Grange Hill reunion with Tucker, Roland and Janet #greatmemories", followed by three heart emojis, and an x.

The nostalgic photo comes after Grange Hill creator Sir Phil Redmond announced in January that the long running BBC series is returning as a film, and will highlight the every day reality of schools now.

Sir Phil said old characters may return, but the movie will be focussed on a "realistic view of what education is like now."

Grange Hill ran from 1978 to 2008, and tackled some controversial topics for a children's show, such as teenage pregnancy and drug addition.

Zammo's heroin addiction was one of the show's most memorable storylines.

It sparked a “Just Say No” anti-drugs campaign and saw some of the cast meeting Nancy Reagan at the White House.

Actor Lee is also known for his role as Terry in EastEnders, until his run ended last year.

Grange Hill actors Erkan Mustafa, Lee MacDonald, Simone Nylander and Todd Carty pose for the camera (FACEBOOK)
Lee MacDonald as Zammo in Grange Hill (BBC)

Erkan played Roland 'Roly' Browning, the sweet, brainy but badly bullied character who loved Golden Wonder crisps, between 1982 and 1987.

He later starred in Lenny Henry’s 90s sitcom Chef!, made appearances on Soccer AM and Celebrity Juice, had a spell as a caterer and is now a writer and director.

Simone played school girl Janet St Claire, known for trying to help her friend Roly fit in at the school.

She starred in the show between 1982 and 1986, and went onto work in the voiceover field, casting for adverts as well as TV, radio and film.

Todd Carty as Tucker Jenkins, left, and Terry Sue Patt as Benny Green in Grange Hill back in 1978 (BBC)
Erkan Mustafa as Roland Browning, Lee Sparke as Jonah Jones and Lee MacDonald as Samuel 'Zammo' Maguire (PA)

The character Peter 'Tucker' Jenkins, played by Todd, was so popular he landed a spin off series, Tucker’s Luck, once he left Grange Hill after four years as a pupil in 1982.

He joined castmate Suzanne Tully in EastEnders as Mark Fowler, a role he held for 13 years.

Married to his childhood sweetheart Dina Clarkin and with two sons, Todd accidentally performed the funniest mistake ever seen on Dancing on Ice in 2009, when he skated into the tunnel and away from the rink mid-performance.

Todd still acts and also directs.

The film is set to land on the big screen in 2023, it was reported.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast about his plan for the film, Sir Phil said: "You just go out as honestly as you can and try to reflect society as it is, try to be as truthful as you can within the bounds of fiction and do the research properly.

"One of the things I've always done is work with great young teams to actually deliver the vision."

The Grange Hill stars will be reuniting once again - with more of their fellow co-stars - for an episode of the Reunion on BBC Radio 4 later this month.

The special is set to on Sunday 14th August and can be heard again after broadcast on catch up services.

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