Any more repeats?13/03/2006

Amy Kovulmaz asks: "Hi, I recently became a Grange Hill fan, but I keep missing the start of each new series. I just caught up to series 29 today, on episode 4 ( I think?). There were all the new characters, new plots, and Annie has disappeared altogether (but she got arrested, right?) Basically I'm totally confused about what's going on, the episode guides aren't helping much, so do you know if there will be any Grange Hill reruns? Thanks." Sorry to hear you've missed the start of the new series Amy. However, the current series has already been shown on the CBBC Channel (before Christmas) so any further repeats are unlikely. Not to worry - our Episode Guides are always available at www.grangehill.net/know/summary.html and are updated when each episode is broadcast.

As to Annie's fate - she's now living with her mum and goes to another school. Baz told Holly that following her theft of the laptop, she was offered counselling or community service; she opted for the counselling, and from this decided to make a fresh start. Will she be back - you never know!

My housemate was a Grange Hill sports teacher!13/03/2006

Kate de la Cruz resides with a Grange Hill sportsmaster: "Hi, I used to watch Grange Hill back in Australia and there was a character played by a guy named Simon (real life name) and he was a PE teacher. Thing is, I’m sure it’s the guy I live with here in London! Can you tell me the actor’s full name and the name of his character and a picture if possible. The guy I live with is an actor, and although he won’t admit it I’m sure he was on Grange Hill! He has brown hair and brown eyes, and is currently on a dodgy TV commercial. Let me know if you can help! Thanks." Hi Kate - you've caught us out I'm afraid! There were just two regular PE teachers in the 1990s, Mr Davies (played by Nigel Miles-Thomas) and Dai Hard Jones (played by Clive Hill). What is your flatmate's stage name - is he one of these two actors? Let us know!

Rachael Acey explains why she won't be watching Grange Hill any more: "I watched the episode last night (7th March) and I just want to let you know I was not impressed at all. The episode starred a tiger, monkey and baboon in it and I found the way they were locked in the cages and getting extremely stressed quite disturbing and upsetting. I am an animal lover and support animal charities and what was shown was not appreciated and I do not think others who have the same feelings as me will either! I just wanted to let you know that what you show can hurt others and it has put me off watching the programme again."

Hi Rachael - thanks for writing and I'm sorry you feel that way. Rest assured the animals will have been treated with the greatest of care, animal handlers and possibly a vet will have supervised the filming of Tuesday's episode. The tiger and primates came from a specialist agency and have been taught to perform from an early age. Why not put your complaint straight to Grange Hill's producers? You can do this using the form at www.grangehill.com/contact.asp. There are no further animal appearances this series; hope this persuades you to return to the programme.

When did Grange Hill burn? 09/03/2006

Back in 1986 Sue Rowley watched her old school go up in smoke: "Can you tell me when Series 9 was filmed please? I have just found out that my old school, Seven Sisters in Tottenham, also the school where I used to teach was used as the site for the filming. I was both a pupil and a teacher there, the first from 1950-59 the second from 1970-73. It was a great school. What I wanted to know was when was series 9 of Grange Hill filmed? Is there anybody that would be able to tell me do you think? I would like to know because my daughter and I were avid viewers of the series when she was little. Grange Hill reminded me so much of my own school days at a comprehensive school in Harlow. We had as much fun as they did I think!! Incidentally every school/college that I have ever attended/worked at has closed down - except the present on. How spooky is that? Thanks."

Hi Sue. Until recently, Grange Hill was always broadcast in January so Series 9 was first shown in 1986. That means filming would have taken place mid-late 1985 - sorry I can't be more specific. From Series 9 onwards, Grange Hill was based at the BBC's Elstree studios. Seven Sisters was probably chosen for its resemblance to the previous "Grange Hill School", Fulham Preparatory, which would have been too far out of the way. As you say, Seven Sisters has since made way for a housing estate, but check out our Locations microsite for more pics of the fire.

Grange Hill - true to life 03/03/2006

Sherine just can't get enough of Togger: "Hi, my name's Sherine, I am 15, from Scotland. just wanted to say that I think that Chris Perry-Metcalf is a fantastic actor, and i think he is so totally gorgeous!! I'm loving Grange Hill, I think it reflects what happens in school really well, it is very realistic unlike most of the things I watch, I think the fact that it is realistic and is based on things that happen to everyday people is what attracts its viewers, it is what makes me want to watch it." Hi Sherine - that's what makes us such big fans of Grange Hill too! Glad you're enjoying the new series; keep watching every Monday to Thursday. Another Chris fan - how many of there are you out there I wonder? Look out for more twists and turns as Tanya and Togger struggle with their feelings...

By 'eck - Grange Hill's gone northern! 03/03/2006

Ben got a shock when he turned on his TV: "Hello there, Just a quick question. I came home from work early and managed to watch Grange Hill (first time in about 10 years) and noticed that virtually all characters have northern accents. Has the school (show) relocated up north now? Cheers." Correct Ben - Grange Hill has indeed transferred "up north" although it's supposedly the same school. Phil Redmond and Mersey TV took control of Grange Hill in 2002 and the following year filming switched from Elstree to Mersey TV's Liverpool studios. The move was enormously controversial - there was even a petition against it - and still generates debate.

Read the full story of Grange Hill's move in our Close Up pages: www.grangehill.net/closeup/closeupspecialindex.html.

Where's the Midget? 01/03/2006

Zeek Simmons asks: "What is The Midget doing now (I don't know if that is what they liked to be called)? What was her name, I know there was only one in the show. Thank you very much for answering my question." Well Zeek - assuming you mean Mrs McClusky she wouldn't have thanked you for calling her The Midget to her face! Actress Gwyneth Powell still makes regular appearances on TV and the stage, most recently she appeared as a widowed landowner in Emmerdale, involved in a land sale to Tom King. Will she return to Grange Hill? Next question please...

My friends on the Hill 01/03/2006

Mathew Warner might have ended up in Grange Hill: "Hi Simon! How funny that I should stumble over this web site! Well done, its very good. I was not a cast member of Grange Hill sadly but did audition for it a couple of times in the early 90s as I was at The Italia Conti school. Rene Zagger (Mike) was our head boy, Gareth Philips was also in the show (Nick I think) as was Rachel Roberts (Justine) and Zander Ward I think?? Oh yes, and Abigail Hart (Paula?) Sadly I don't know what any of them are up to apart from Rene but keep up the good work! Oh... Also Simon....Samantha Lewis' mother still works at Italia Conti on reception. George Armstrong (Alan?) from the first days with Tucker used too be the caretaker and now teaches drama at a boarding school....it may be Roedean actually. Hope this also helps your updates!"

Hi Mathew - always a pleasure to hear from someone who was at school with the stars! Samantha Lewis (Georgina) recently chaperoned some young actors on the set of Little Britain, much to the delight of Matt Lucas who was a big fan of her's. George Armstrong is indeed at Roedean Girls' School, though as a theatre technician. Sorry you never made it through the hallowed gates of Grange Hill yourself, but lovely to hear from you!

Max gets a steamy reception 01/03/2006

Michael Silvester writes: "Hi, Just to let you know that BBC1's gloriously trashy 'Hotel Babylon' features not only GH's Emma Pierson, but also Michael Obiora (Max Abassi) playing the gay receptionist." Thanks for the info Michael! Emma Pierson has carved out a very successful TV career; she's done lots of work since Grange Hill which was her first professional role. And it's great to see Michael back on our screens; you might also have seen him in The Bill some months ago.