Grange Hill’s most heartbreaking tragedies – from cancer battle to horror car crash

Grange Hill remains one of the most popular children’s dramas of all time after it catapulted onto our screens back in 1978.

The BBC drama immediately became a huge hit with fans and tackled issues such as heroin addiction, suicide and homosexuality. Set in the fictional North London suburb of Northam, the show followed the lives of the students and teachers who attended Grange Hill comprehensive.

The gripping series was groundbreaking for its time, with many kids often banned from watching the show by their parents for their controversial storylines. In 2015, BBC scriptwriter Emma Reeves admitted that many of the jaw-dropping scenes on the show would never be aired today because of strict editorial guidelines.

READ MORE:Grange Hill legend says people still call him by character’s name 35 years on

READ MORE:BBC Grange Hill’s biggest transformations 30 years on – Zammo, Tucker and Roland

The series, created by Phil Redmond, came to an end in 2008 after 30 years on our screens. As viewers celebrate the 45th anniversary of the long-running teen drama, Daily Star has taken a deep dive inside some of the biggest tragedies that the cast have faced.

George Armstrong

The most recent star to pass away from the show is George Armstrong – who played Alan Humphries on the show. He sadly died at the age of 60 on July 11, 2023, following a “long battle with Leukaemia.”

He was a key character on the show between 1978 and 1982 for the first five series of the show. But his acting career didn’t end there, with the star going on to join Todd Carty’s character Tucker Jenkins for the spin-off series, Tucker’s Luck.

After his time on Grange Hill. George continued to pursue acting opportunities and took on the role of PC Driscoll in The Bill in 1989. He eventually left acting to become a Technical Theatre Manager at a public school.

At the age of 53 he was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2016 and was open about his diagnosis with his adoring friends and loyal fans online. In 2018, the star shared his health battle to help raise money for charity.

Terry Sue-Patt

Terry, who played Benny Green for four years on the show, was found dead at his London home in May 2015. Shortly after his passing was confirmed, his family released a statement claiming he’d been fighting demons before his death.

It read: “Like every artist and creative soul in history, he drew from his demons and they sometimes got the better of him. Terry had his own crosses to bear and he became gripped by a depression he never fully recovered from.

“Terry’s successful and eventful life was tragically cut short. He was out cherished son, brother, uncle and friend and will be sadly missed.”

Michelle Herbert

Michelle played bad girl Trisha Yates on Grange Hill for four years but decided to step away from the limelight after her stint on the show came to an end. The actor later reprised the role for the final episode of Tucker’s Luck.

After this she decided to quit acting for good and transformed her life when she started working for a sweet manufacturer. The brunette beauty later went on to battle breast cancer in May 2015 after she noticed a dimple on her breast.

An ultrasound and biopsy later found that she had a medium-growth tumour “which was 6mm in size”. After she was diagnosed, Michelle endured a lumpectomy and a mastectomy in August to remove the cancer.

Donald Waugh

From 1978 to 1980, Donald joined Grange Hill as TV hunk Joseph ‘Hughsey’ Hughes. The star was a big hit with fans, but after he left the show, his life spiralled out of control.

It is reported that he battled alcoholism and ended up homeless and living on the streets. He claims the experience “opened his eyes” and after he turned his life around, he has poured himself into helping the homeless.

Speaking about the enterprise Pavement to Catwalk, Donald previously said: “Working with and being homeless for a period of time has opened my eyes to the potential and talent within this un-tapped society.

“In this, I have learned that the secret to helping yourself is to help others. I still hold this very close to my heart today.”

Mark Farmer

Mark Farmer passed away in April 2016 at the age of 53 after reportedly battling with cancer. The TV star was best known for playing football fanatic Gary Hargreaves on the show in series two and four.

The news of his death was announced on the Grange Hill Twitter account with a touching tribute online. It read: “It is with great sadness we report that Mark Farmer aka Gary Hargreaves died earlier today. RIP.”

Fans of the show flocked to social media to share their sadness online, with one person writing: “Sad news Mark Farmer AKA Gary Hargreaves in Grange Hill has died aged just 53. Grange Holl football captain fancied by all the girls.”

Another echoed: “@GrangeHillGold sad news Mark Farmer aka Gary Hargreaves sadly passed away this morning R.I.P.X”

Lee MacDonald

Lee was just 12 years old when he joined the cast of Grange Hill as Zammo Maguire in 1982 which he held for five years until he left in 1987. Along the way, his character tackled one of the heaviest storylines on the show – heroin addiction.

After he left the show, he tried to become a professional boxer. But his dream suddenly went up in smoke when he was involved in a horrific car accident that saw him thrown through a window screen.

Lee managed to survive the terrifying accident, but he had to have 40 stitches in his head and suffered memory loss. He was later told by doctors that it could take a year for his memory to recover.

But the worst part of it all was that he was banned from entering the boxing ring for the rest of his life. The actor was understandably “devastated by the news” as he shared his heartache at the news to The Guardian in 2009.

He told the publication: “After the celebrity of being in Grange Hill and the excitement of the boxing, here I was, aged 21, working in a wholesaler. I remember thinking, ‘I can’t box any more, I’m not acting and I’m here putting keys in a bag’ and my early 20s were really dark because of that.

“It took me a bit of time to sort myself out,” he confessed.

Amanda Mealing

In the second series of the show, the character of Tracy Edwards turned heads in the school ground. Played by Amanda Mealing, the character didn’t stay around for long despite being hugely popular with fans.

The 57-year-old actress went on to land roles on medical soaps including Casualty and Holby City. But her life wasn’t always quite as smooth sailing as it appeared after she battled breast cancer.

At the age of 34 – just days after she gave birth to her second child – the star received the devastating diagnosis back in 2002. Determined to get better as soon as possible for the sake of her young family, Amanda quickly underwent an urgent mastectomy.

Lee Whitlock

Lee Whitlock – who was best known for his role as Bevis Loveday in the sixteenth series of Grange Hill – passed away at the age of 54 on February 17, 2023.

The actor first launched his acting career as a child when he appeared in the TV show, Shine On Harvey Moon as Stanely Moon. He later went on to appear in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

However, he was best known for his roles in the long-running high school drama, A Touch of Frost, Casualty, and The Bill and for appearing alongside Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the 2007 film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk