Where are stars of BBC Grange Hill now as Mr MacKenzie actor Nicholas Donnelly dies

Grange Hill first hit our screens over 40 years ago and followed the lives of pupils at a comprehensive school in North London.

The BBC series, set in the fictional borough of Northam, first aired in 1978 and ran until 2008 with the show exploring themes such as bullying, teenage pregnancy, learning difficulties along with teacher-pupil relationships.

Meanwhile the much-loved children's series is set to hit the big screen in 2023 with creator Sir Phil Redmond revealing that casting and production would start this year while some original characters may return.

Sir Phil said: "So we'll just take a look at the way Britain is now, and not the way policymakers would like us to think it is. We will take a realistic view of what education is like now and what that means to kids going through it."

It comes as Nicholas Donnelly, who played Mr MacKenzie in Grange Hill for eight years, has passed away at the age of 83.

His family released a statement on Monday 10 January, which read: "He was a gracious, kind and lovely man, a wonderful father and grandfather.

“He was also very funny and brilliant at telling stories, acting out all the characters, marvellous company and a privilege to know.

“He loved nothing more than offering hospitality and making people feel welcome.”

So where are the stars of the stars of the hit TV series now? Let's take a look…

Lee MacDonald – Zammo

The 53 year old played Samuel 'Zammo' McGuire in the BBC drama and starred in the series from 1982 to 1987.

His character became involved in a hard-hitting storyline which involved an addition to heroin and led to a number of anti-drug campaigns targeted at youngsters including 'Just Say No'.

Lee, who played the character from the age of 12 to 17, attempted to forge a professional boxing career but was left injured after a car crash when he was 21.


The Zammo star worked as a locksmith but appeared in EastEnders in April 2019 as bus driver Terry who caused trouble for the Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter who was played by Danny Dyer.

Lee lives in Wallington and got engaged to his long-term partner Jess in 2020.

Todd Carty – Paul 'Tucker' Jenkins

The English-Irish actor, 58, is one of the most famous Grange Hill alumni and played the role of Tucker Jenkins in the series from when when it first aired in 1978.

Tucker was so popular that a spin-off series that Tucker's Luck was created and aired between 1983 and 1985 and followed the life of the character and his friends Alan Humphries and Tommy Watson navigate the world of employment.

Todd went onto star in EastEnders as Mark Fowler in 1990 until 2003 which saw his character diagnosed with HIV before he died in 2004.

The actor also starred in The Bill as PC Gabriel Kent and Dancing On Ice in 2009 where, during one routine, he accidentally stumbled off the ice and through the exit.

Todd lives in North London with his childhood sweetheart and film producer Dina Clarkin and the pair share sons James and Thomas.

Alison Bettles – Fay Lucas

The 52 year old Essex actress played Fay Lucas for six series from 1982 to 1987 with her character noted for having an affair with teacher Mr King.

Her character also starred in the UK's Just Say No anti-drugs campaign which was also released as a single and reacher number 5 in April 1986.

Alison stepped away from acting in 1990 and went onto qualify as a beauty therapist before setting up her specialist freight forwarding company in 2005.

The former actress has three sons and a daughter.

Susan Tully – Suzanne Ross

Susan Tully, 54, played rebellious teenager Suzanne Ross for three years before she landed a role in the first episode of EastEnders in 1985 when she was 17 years old.


The actress played Michelle Fowler for 10 years until 1995 with her character becoming pregnant at the age of 16 after having an affair with 39 year old Den Watts.

The 1990s saw Susan concentre on a career in television directing with the former actress credited for episodes of EastEnders, Line of Duty and Lark Rise to Candleford.

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