Todd Carty heads back to 'Grange Hill'

Original Grange Hill star Todd Carty will head back to the BBC school drama in a one-off anniversary special next year.

Carty, who played lovable rogue Tucker Jenkins when the show first aired in February 1978, will reprise the role for the show's 30th birthday.

He said he has enjoyed his renewed involvement, telling the Mirror: "It's been hugely nostalgic and quite emotional. I was sitting having lunch in the canteen with all the kids and getting a little misty-eyed.

"I was one of them 30 years ago. I'd wake up every morning excited about going to the studio. That was the best time of my life."

The actor, now 44, heaped praise on the Phil Redmond-devised show, noting that the gritty, issue-focused writing had helped it to achieve "iconic" status. The fictional London-based comprehensive has provided the backdrop for storylines including rape and heroin addiction.

"Before Grange Hill kids' TV dramas had all been jolly hockey sticks and Billy Bunter," he explained. "No one had been brave enough to try anything different.

"But kids could really identify with Grange Hill and each generation since has grown up with the characters from their era - Tucker or Zammo or Gonch or Robbie.

After leaving the show, Carty moved on to play Mark Fowler in EastEnders and shady policeman Gabriel Kent in The Bill.