SORRY FOLKS - you've missed it! Grange Hill's record-breaking 30th series has just ended its run with a new addition to the Johnson clan, a tough new deputy head, a life-changing experience for someone in Year 11 and plenty of fun on the dance floor! But what was on the curriculum at everyone's favourite school this time?


STRICTLY COME TO GRANGE HILL!
Remember those BBC1 idents with the salsa dancers or the couples dancing Tango in the rain? Grange Hill aspires to recreate those famous scenes when Karen starts a dance club for her enterprise project. At first, interest is limited, but it soon catches on and everyone's queuing up to learn the pasa double. It's not long before Grange Hill enters a local Strictly Come Dancing-style contest, with Karen and new boy Ross (Lewis Rainer) representing the school. Karen has her heart set on winning, but sinister forces are at work...


COLLAPSING WORLDS
Grange Hill is rocked by tragedy this year when sports team stalwart Baz dies on the pitch, and in an air of bad feeling with Togger. His passing sends shockwaves throughout the school; not least for girlfriend Holly whose entire world is blown apart. She'd been with Baz for a year now and they'd never been happier. Tanya tries to counsel Togger through his sense of guilt, best mate Donnie wants blood, and we see the nastiest side of Chloe yet. As Grange Hill gradually comes to terms with the news, some people crumple while other unlikely allies find themselves brought together.


WHAT'S WRONG WITH EMMA?
Most pupils return to school fully refreshed after the summer break, but not Emma. Alarm bells ring when Emma begins Year 11 with cuts and bruises to her face. Has Emma's already fragile relationship with her mum have reached new depths? It would appear so.

Luckily, someone comes into her life to kiss her scars better. The enigmatic Kyle Brown, one of a group of travellers who has recently settled near Grange Hill, enrols in Year 11. Kyle sets female hearts fluttering (and makes the lads green with envy!) but it's Emma he takes a shine to and she's totally smitten because no-one has ever paid her this much attention before. However, Emma soon lets her heart rule her head and wants their relationship to step up a level - when it does, she finds herself pregnant and despite warnings from Tanya she is unable to face up to the reality of her situation. Where's Kyle when you really need him eh?


NEW CLASS, NEW JOHNSON
A new bunch of Year 7s settle into life at Grange Hill - and for some it's easier than others. Among them are Lucy Johnson (Daisy McCormick), cast out of the same mould as big brother Togger, only a girl, she's as tough as old boots and doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. Jenny Young (Naomi Richie) - is the half-sister of Tanya and Karen, and is fed up being compared to her older sisters. However, both new girls are strong-willed and when they find themselves at loggerheads neither will back down...and their older siblings might have to step in to man the battle lines.

Other newcomers include Ali Duncan (William Rush), whose super-cool persona threatens to steal Togger's crown as Grange Hill heart-throb. He provides an unlikely ally for Bryn Williams (Joseph Slack) who instantly realises life won't be easy for him at Grange Hill. Especially when he meets the older Alex, who is forced to exploit the new boy's weaknesses when he finds history repeating itself.


GAYLE WARNING....
A storm is about to sweep through the corridors of Grange Hill! With Mrs Bassinger in the background for this series, the aptly-named Miss Gayle takes up her post as the new deputy head, and with a hands-on approach from day one she's determined to prove how ambitious she is.

Miss Gayle is played by another famous face - Cathy Tyson is well-known for her roles in Band Of Gold and as the vicar in ITV's defunct daytime soap Night And Day. She's also appeared in a movie with Michael Caine. Don't cross this Tyson as she certainly packs a punch!


NO ESCAPE FOR ALEX...
Surely Alex deserves a break after the hell he's been through at the hands of the Humphries brothers? Well he's not going to get it. Alex's problems are set to be as big as his smoothie business when Max and Mooey muscle in on his enterprise. Not content with the emotional damage they inflicted on Alex when he was in Year 7, Grange Hill's bully brothers gradually extort more and more of Alex's profits until their demands become so extreme Alex is forced to steal from pals Ed and Tigger and even turns from victim to bully by snaring Bryn into his world. As things grow more desperate for Alex, and with his friends alienated, will he have the courage to speak out?

That other nasty piece of work, Chloe, has set her sights on her ideal man - Max Humphries! In many ways they'd make a perfect couple, but she's not going to let the age difference get in the way, never mind that he doesn't even notice her. When he eventually rejects her advances, Max soon wishes he hadn't...


A LOVE THAT CAN NEVER BE?
She ended last year kicking herself after failing to hook up with the boy of her dreams, Togger. But a "holiday romance" with a certain Luke has perked Tanya up again. How will Togger react - can he maintain his feuding facade with Tanya or will he find another way to pursue her? When tragic events bring the school together, Togger and Tanya are no longer ashamed of their feelings but still can't pluck up the courage to ask each other out.

Finally they present themselves to the world as a couple! But their chance of happiness could be hampered by someone else's problems in a way that they could not have, erm, conceived... As for Luke, he turns out not to be who he seems - when Karen investigates, she fears Tanya has hooked up with a much older man. In the end it's Miss Gayle who uncovers the truth behind Tanya's frequent bunkings-off - Tanya is training to be a hairdresser and Luke is her boss!


KATHY'S DRIVING FORCE
It's her last year at Grange Hill but while her classmates are more concerned about looking for university places, Kathy is happier behind the wheel than behind the books! Under intense pressure to win a prestigious place at Oxbridge, Kathy needs to pass her test as well as her A-levels for university. But it's all too much and the loss of Baz sends Kathy into a downward spiral which might have dire consequences, especially when Donnie becomes involved.

Martin worries about how he'll cope with university but he's determined to prove the doubters wrong by filling in a UCAS form. When he lands an interview he also learns someone very special in his life might still be there to guide him through the world outside Grange Hill..



Britain's most famous comprehensive is re-opening for business! Grange Hill returns to the CBBC Channel every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm from 16 January.A new bunch of Year 7s descend on the school while there are other new characters in the returning years.

Will Togger and Tanya finally get it together? How will Taylor cope moving from the attendance register to the payroll at Grange Hill (assuming of course he takes up Mrs Bassinger's job offer as assistant caretaker)? Keep watching this page for backstage news and behind-the-scenes gossip!

We cannot guarantee how forthcoming backstage info will be this year, but we'll do our best and bring you news as it happens. If you have any backstage information, send it to us in complete confidence at info@grangehill.net. And bookmark this page now!


GRANGE HILL NOT ON BBC1 THIS YEAR
BBC1 viewers will have to wait a little longer - if at all - to see the new series of Grange Hill this year - because the CBBC Channel is showing it first.

Series 30 begins its twice-weekly run every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm from 16 January on CBBC. Although Grange Hill has been recommissioned until 2008, this is the first time since the series began that it's been absent from BBC1's post-Christmas schedules. More worryingly, the final series of rival Byker Grove premiered on the CBBC Channel and it's not known if BBC1 will show it.

You'll probably know about the UK's switchover to digital TV which begins in some areas next year. When this happens the analogue signals will be turned off and everyone will have to watch digital TV. But at the moment, 20% of the country does not have or cannot receive digital TV, so if Grange Hill is moved away from BBC1, a large part of its audience will be unable to see it.If you feel strongly that Grange Hill should remain on BBC1, why not write to the head of CBBC? Click here for his address.


ANOTHER NEW YEAR 7...
Isn't it great that we're finding out so much about the new Year 7s before the series has even aired? Well let us introduce you to another one - Jake Briggs.

Jake is played by 14-year old Lucien Laviscount from Read, Manchester. In landing the Grange Hill role Lucien had to beat off 100 rivals: "I was ecstatic and I was buzzing over it for days. "Hopefully I will be in Grange Hill for a few years and after that I want to get into films. I would love to make it big in America or Britain," he told thisislancashire.co.uk.Grange Hill isn't Lucien's first brush with fame - in 2002 he appeared in BBC1's acclaimed series Clocking Off and has also modelled for David Beckham's DB 07 clothing range. More recently he starred in Johnny And The Bomb, based on Terry Pratchett's novel.

Lucien lives with his parents, Eugene and Sonia, and brothers Louis, 16, and Jules, 13. And he's wanted to be an actor since the age of two - so Grange Hill is sure to bring him lots of attention!


NEW PRODUCER FOR GRANGE HILL
There's a new man in charge of Grange Hill. David Hanson joins Grange Hill as its new series producer, following a successful period in charge of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. David will take over from Karl Dolan who has stepped down after three series. But Phil Redmond will continue as Grange Hill's executive producer, despite having sold Mersey TV (now Lime Pictures) last year.


YOU'VE MET ROSS, NOW HERE'S HIS SISTER
We've already introduced you to one of the new boys in the coming series, Ross Duncan (played by Lewis Rainer). Well it appears he has a sister, Anna, played by 14-year old Sacha Parkinson.

Sacha, from Tyldesley, already has a string of acting credits under her belt including Always & Everyone, The Royal and Coronation Street. She will also be appearing in an new episode of another school drama, Waterloo Road. In addition to her TV work, Sacha has appeared on stage in the title role of Annie at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Her mum Leigh Farrow told leightoday.net: "Sacha does enjoy being on the stage but it's the TV work that she really enjoys. "I think she is hoping for a career on the small screen.'' The newspaper article also points to February as a provisional air date for Series 30.


UPDATE: NO GRANGE HILL PREVIEW THIS YEAR
Grange Hill will NOT be returning before Christmas on the CBBC Channel, as originally reported. The 2006 series was previewed on the digital channel last November ahead of the main BBC1 showing in January. But Mersey TV has confirmed that viewers will have to wait until the new year to see the 30th series, which it is thought will be shown on BBC1.

Grange Hill's pre-Christmas showing last year was part of the BBC's strategy to increase take-up of digital TV. The reasons behind the decision are not known. Keep checking GH Online for more news on Grange Hill's return!


LIFE-CHANGING BREAK FOR NEW BOY JOE
A new bunch of Year 7s make their debut in Series 30, among them is Bryn Williams, played by Joseph Slack.

Joe, 14, beat hundreds of hopefuls to the role which he accepted after five callbacks, reports wigantoday.net. Whilst Joe himself hasn't made any comment, his mum Susan says: "We are really proud of him. The producers have been telling him it will change his life and he'll be recognised in the street. We were surprised when he got the first recall, because it was Grange Hill we didn't expect him to get that far. It didn't sink in at first when he got it but when he started the filming we started to realise what it will mean."

Joe, from Leigh, caught the theatrical bug at primary school and joined the drama group A Will And A Way. It was through the group he was invited to audition for Grange Hill. And Joe isn't the only aspiring actor in his family - sister Kimberley, 8, also has theatrical ambitions. Drama teacher Will Travis said of Joe's success "We are over the moon. It is something we have been working towards for the past five years, to have one of our kids in a TV drama." More about Joe - and Bryn - soon!


GRANGE HILL GIVES LEWIS HIS BREAK 20/07/2006
Ross Duncan, one of the new characters in the next series of Grange Hill, is a bit of a geek who comes out of his shell. So says actor Lewis Rainer, who has landed his first television job in the forthcoming series.

Lewis, of Up Holland, Wigan, landed the part of Ross after being noticed at auditions for other TV shows. While this might be his first time on television, Lewis is no stranger to the stage. As a member of Wigan's Willpower Youth Theatre he's appeared in Bugsy Malone and as Mark Antony in Julius Caesar. And although Grange Hill is his first major role, acting runs in the family. What's more, his mum teaches performing arts and his dad lectures in drama.

So what can we expect from Ross Duncan? "Ross is a bit of a geek at first and is rather in the background, but he comes out of his shell as the series goes on and his character becomes more central," says Lewis, 16. And what's it like being in TV's most famous school? "It's really fun. The filming gets a bit repetitive but when the weather is nice like this and everyone involved is so kind, it's so much better than a real job!"


BAZ BACK FOR ONE LAST SERIES
Fans of Thomas Hudson had better savour the new series if Grange Hill - as it's Baz's last one. After filming wraps, Tom hopes to pursue a bigger acting career, according to our source. He has already appeared in the film Love and Hate, which hit the big screen in May. So while we'll miss Baz and Grange Hill, we hope to be seeing a lot more of Tom in the future...


ALEX CAN'T WAIT FOR NEW TERM
One of our Grange Hill favourites returning will be Alex Sheldon, whose character Ed Booth will be in his third year at Grange Hill. Now 16 and having just taken his GCSEs, Alex is leaving full-time education to concentrate on his TV work. He's especially looking forward to resuming the daily commute to Liverpool, but even before the cameras roll he's already given us some hints as to what to expect in Series 30.

"When I go back this time there will be new first years and they'll seem really young, just like with school," Alex told the Blackpool Gazette in a recent interview. And while the last two years have seen Ed enjoying himself at Grange Hill, Alex hopes his alter-ego will be explored in greater depth: "I'd like to do more emotional stuff and I wouldn't mind seeing the character get a girlfriend. The storylines are quite good but I am playing someone a couple of years younger than myself so the way he deals with things is different to what I would do."

So how does Alex cope with fame? "It has been weird since starting the show because I get recognised everywhere, even on holiday in Tenerife," Alex continues. "The girls try to get a photo with me but the lads usually ask for an autograph. I used to find it really embarrassing but I'm getting used to it a bit more now. At school some of the younger pupils think it's cool when they recognise me but most people aren't bothered anymore. School has been great helping me keep up with work while I'm filming, but I'm still worried about the exams."

Well Alex, here's wishing you best of luck with the exams - I'm sure you've done fine!


COMING BACK...
Now that we know Ed will be back at Grange Hill, what about anyone else? Grange Hill just wouldn't be Grange Hill without Tanya and Togger - both Chris Perry-Metcalf and Kirsten Cassidy will be back as the unspoken sweethearts. This time, the pair don't just have their feelings to deal with - they've reached the dizzy heights of Year 11 and their main preoccupation will be their GCSE exams.

At the moment, we don't know who else is returning, so keep checking back!