Grange Hill's Zammo actor Lee MacDonald marries his girlfriend Jess
‘Finally got hitched!’ Grange Hill’s Zammo actor Lee MacDonald marries his girlfriend Jess as he shares beaming wedding day snaps – two YEARS after getting engaged
- The star, 54, took to Twitter on Saturday to share the happy news with his fans as he shared a beaming snap emerging from a church with his new bride
- Lee wrote in his Twitter caption: ‘Finally got hitched ❤️❤️❤️ xxx’
- They got engaged in March 2020 but had to delay the wedding due to Covid
- Earlier in the day of his nuptials, Lee revealed his son H would be his best man
- Lee played Zammo McGuire in Phil Redmond’s children’s drama Grange Hill for six years in the 80s
- Since then, he has made cameo appearances on Birds of a Feather and The Bill. In 2019, he began appearing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Terry
Grange Hill’s Zammo actor Lee MacDonald has married his girlfriend Jess.
The star, 54, took to Twitter on Saturday to share the happy news with his fans as he shared a beaming snap emerging from a church with his new bride.
Lee – who has been in a relationship with Jess for ten years – wrote in his Twitter caption: ‘Finally got hitched ❤️❤️❤️ xxx.’
Exciting news: Grange Hill’s Zammo actor Lee MacDonald has married his girlfriend Jess
In the image Lee looked dapper in a grey suit, pink shirt and tie and brown shoes as he linked arms with his wife.
Jess looked stunning in a lace gown that fanned out into a fishtail design and was teamed with a pretty veil.
She clutched a bouquet of white flowers and was surrounded by their family and friends who threw confetti at them.
Throwback: Lee played Zammo in Phil Redmond’s children’s drama Grange Hill for six years in the 80s
In August, an excited Lee wrote next to a snap with Jess: ‘Just say yes!’ So glad she did!
‘I’m marrying this lovely lady later this month ❤️ xxx.’
They got engaged in March 2020 but had to delay the wedding due to Covid.
Posting a picture of himself and Jess posing with her brand new shiny engagement ring, Lee excitedly tweeted at the time: ‘My partner Jess ‘JUST SAID YES’! Wedding next.’
Cute: Earlier in the month, an excited Lee wrote next to a snap with Jess: ”Just say yes!’ So glad she did! ‘I’m marrying this lovely lady later this month ❤️ xxx’
Earlier in the day of his nuptials, Lee revealed his son H would be his best man.
Next to a sweet father and son image the actor wrote: ‘I’m so proud of my boy ‘H’! He did an amazing job as my best man ❤️❤️❤️ x’
Lee played Zammo McGuire in Phil Redmond’s children’s drama Grange Hill for six years in the 80s.
Since then, he has made cameo appearances on Birds of a Feather and The Bill. In 2019, he began appearing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Terry.
Family: Earlier in the day, Lee revealed his son H would be his best man
Lee was the star of one of Grange Hill’s most hard-hitting storylines when his character Zammo became addicted to heroin.
As a result, he became involved in a number of anti-drugs campaigns encouraging youngsters to ‘Just Say No’.
After six years as Zammo, Lee left Grange Hill with critical acclaim for his portrayal of Zammo.
It comes after last month Lee enjoyed a reunion with some of the show’s castmembers, 44 years after the show premiered on BBC1.
Love: They got engaged in March 2020 but had to delay the wedding due to Covid
The actor reunited with his co-stars Todd Carty (Tucker), Simone Nylander (Janet) and Erkan Mustafa (Roland).
The group looked over the moon to be together again as they wrapped their arms around each other while grinning at the camera.
Alongside the snap, Lee wrote: ‘Mini Grange Hill reunion with Tucker, Roland and Janet’, along with three hearts.
The group were reuniting for an episode of the Reunion on BBC Radio 4 which aired on August 14.
Pals: It comes after last month Lee enjoyed a reunion with some of the show’s cast members, 44 years after the show premiered on BBC1 (L-R Erkan Mustafa, Lee, Simone Nylander and Todd Carty)
The former co-stars all kept it casual for their meetup as they sported T-shirts, shirts and jeans.
Grange Hill ran from 1978 to 2008, making it one of the longest running shows on British TV.
The series dealt with life in a comprehensive school in a fictional North London borough and dealt with typical school issues such as bullying and teacher-pupil relationships.
The show also became known for tackling more hard-hitting subjects over the years including racism, drugs, mental illness and child abuse.
Difficult: Lee was the star of one of Grange Hill’s most hard-hitting storylines when his character Zammo became addicted to heroin
Fans of the show commented on Lee’s post to express their joy at seeing some of the star’s together again.
One wrote: ‘Nice picture and great memories’ while another said: ‘Brilliant. Nice to see you all looking great’.
Another added: ‘Watching Grange Hill from the start, reliving my childhood!’
Lee, Ricky Simmonds, who portrayed Ant, and Alison Bettles, who played Fay, all appeared on Good Morning Britain last year where they reminisced about their time on the show.
Career: Since leaving Grange Hill, he has made cameo appearances on Birds of a Feather and The Bill. In 2019, he began appearing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Terry (pictured)
Ricky said: ‘I think where we were so young. I was 10 I don’t think I realised it was that big, I came from an everyday normal background, I went to a comprehensive school, not a stage school.
‘I just think it was no big deal, I was a 10-year-old on the train learning scripts. I just took it with a pinch of salt, I can’t believe really I used to learn lines on the train I’d be terrified now really.’
Lee spoke about when the cast were asked to make a charity single.
‘They wanted me to front the single, but I said I can’t sing. I sung one note and the woman slammed the piano lid down and walked out and left me on my own. So someone else sings my lines on the record.’
In January, it was revealed that Grange Hill creator Phil Redmond was turning the show into a film.
The 73-year-old TV producer and screenwriter, who was also behind Brookside and Hollyoaks, has reportedly completed the script for a film based around the children’s programme set in a school.
It is thought that the planned film, due later this year, will deal with the planned closure of the school as well as issues around social media and children’s grief. The movie is expected to feature former cast members from the show in the roles of parents or grandparents.
Classic: Grange Hill ran from 1978 to 2008, making it one of the longest running shows on British TV
In an interview with The Guardian, it was revealed that Mr Redmond met with colleagues in February last year to discuss the project.
He told the paper: ‘We’ve been through four school-rebuilding programmes in my lifetime, but it’s not about bricks and mortar, it’s about getting the best out of every pupil.
‘How will ripping schools out of communities solve anything? Or making catchment areas so big that kids have to travel miles to be with their friends?
‘That’s the thesis of the movie: it’s decided the school is costing too much to maintain so it should be knocked down, the land sold and proceeds used to build a new one and replenish local coffers.’
GRANGE HILL: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Lee MacDonald
Played: Zammo McGuire
Lee MacDonald, 52, was the star of one of Grange Hill’s most hard-hitting storylines when his character Zammo became addicted to heroin.
As a result, he became involved in a number of anti-drugs campaigns encouraging youngsters to ‘Just Say No’.
After six years as Zammo, Lee left Grange Hill with critical acclaim for his portrayal of Zammo.
Lee had always had an interest in boxing and continued to develop his skill to a high level but unfortunately a car accident in the early 1990s left him unable to pursue the sport.
Lee MacDonald as Zammo who was the star of one of the series’ most hard-hitting storylines when he became addicted to heroin. Now 52, he runs a locksmith business and continues to appear on TV as himself on shows such as Celebrity Pointless
Lee MacDonald played Zammo and now runs a locksmith business in London
Lee had always had an interest in boxing and continued to develop his skill to a high level.
Unfortunately, a car accident in the early 1990s left Lee unable to pursue with the sport.
Lee has made several TV appearances since leaving Grange Hill, including an episode of The Bill in which his love interest was played by Melissa Wilkes – who also played his girlfriend Jackie Wright in Grange Hill.
In April 2019, it was announced that he would appear in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Terry.
He remains in the public eye appearing as himself on shows such as Celebrity Scissorhands and Celebrity Pointless. He also runs a locksmith business in Wallington, Surrey.
Zammo became hooked on heroin in arguably the biggest storyline on the school drama
Todd Carty
Played: Peter ‘Tucker’ Jenkins
Todd Carty, 57, remains one of the show’s most famous alumni having remained on TV screens since the first series aired in 1978. His Grange Hill character was so popular, he was given his own spin-off show Tucker’s Luck from 1983 to 1985.
He then starred as Mark Fowler in EastEnders from 1990 to 2003, with a groundbreaking storyline when his character was diagnosed with HIV.
But after his departure from the square, he played away from type portraying the villainous PC Gabriel Kent in The Bill.
Todd Carty is well-known for his role as mischievous character Tucker Jenkins and even had his own spin-off from the series which ran for three years
Todd Carty went on to have a successful career in several television soaps, including Eastenders
Plotting a deranged revenge plot on the mother who gave him away involving incest and raping a colleague, psychopathic Gabriel became a serial killer and eventually committed suicide.
As well as continuing to act on stage and screen, he’s also delved into producing and directing and made a memorable appearance on Dancing On Ice in 2009 because of his lack of flair.
His uncoordinated moves became a ratings draw and in one routine he accidentally skidded through the exit.
He played Mark Fowler for 13 years, pictured at Wendy Richards’ funeral, who played his on-screen mother Pauline Fowler
As well as starring in panto, he appeared on Celebrity Masterchef in 2014 and
In 2015, the actor and his eldest son James filmed a documentary, Dangerous Adventures For Boys, for Channel 5 based on the book by Conn and Hal Iggulden
Carty and his eldest son, James, filmed together in a factual television series for Channel 5, Dangerous Adventures For Boys, based on the book written by Conn and Hal Iggulden
Most recently, he appeared in the film Silver Birches in 2017 about an author struggling to rebuild his life after the untimely death of his wife.
Todd has been with his childhood sweetheart Dina Clarkin since 1990, and they have two sons James and Thomas.
Actress, entrepreneur and PR boss Paula-Ann Bland played edgy Claire Scott in the hit show, who had a crush on teacher Mr Hopwood
Paula-Ann Bland
Played: Claire Scott
Paula-Ann’s edgy character Claire caused a stir by fantasising about teacher Mr Hopwood in her diary, who was then attached by her overprotective father.
She also enjoyed a romance with Stewpot, before discovering he was seeing Annette Firman behind her back.
Because of her success on the small screen record company bosses eyed Paula-Ann as a potential British Kylie and she even released a cover version of The Locomotion.
She left the series in 1985 and continued to act, appearing in TV series such as Spender and Only Fools and Horses.
In 1988, she caused a stir by posing topless for men’s magazine Mayfair.
During the ’90s she turned her back on acting and opened shoe shops called Paola in Knightsbridge and Chelsea before starting her own PR company.
She’s a mother-of-two and is also an ambassador for the Good Grief Trust.
John Alford
Played: Robbie Wright
John Alford as Robbie and George Christopher as ZiggyTuesday in 1986
Actor John Alford played happy go lucky Robbie Wright between 1985 and 1991.
Little brother to Jaqui, Robbie is best remembered for his romances with Calley Donnington and his friendship with Ziggy Greaves.
After leaving the show, he went on to be a regular on ITV series London’s Burning playing Billy Ray.
He also enjoyed several top 40 hit singles, produced by Stock/Waterman, following his TV success.
But his fortunes turned when he was written out after being caught in a drugs sting.
The former teenage pin-up was caught by the News Of The World’s Fake Sheikh and then served a six week sentence after being charged.
John Alford was jailed for nine months last year after being convicted of supplying cocaine and cannabis to a bogus Arab prince in 2000
The actor was found guilty by a jury at London’s Snaresbrook Crown Court in 1999 of one count of supplying 2.036 grammes of cocaine to Fake Sheikh Mazher Mahmood, as well as a similar charge involving 11.9 grammes of cannabis resin.
He struggled to return to his previous success after being released but has had small parts since. He’s appeared in Casualty and CBBC show Mile High and had a long-term relationship with Tina Mahon who played Ronnie Birtles.
In 2016, Mahmood was found guilty of plotting to pervert the course of justice and following the case, it was suggested that up to 72 defendants in criminal cases in which he played a role could apply for convictions to be quashed.
Alford’s case was among those taken up by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Gwyneth Powell
Played: Bridget McClusky
Headmistress Bridget McClusky, played by Gwyneth Powell, was one of the longest standing characters in the show appearing on screen between 1981 and 1991.
The star had actually trained as a teacher but never taught in the classroom, as she decided to pursue acting instead.
She previously told the BBC that she was determined to make the role more modern because she was only 35 when she took on the role.
‘At first Mrs McClusky was written as a ‘”twin set and pearls” role but I was quite young at the time and didn’t want to play it like that. We started with the clothes and she was quite fashion conscious and chic.
‘I was told by lots of people she was a great fillip to young women teachers who started applying for headships.’
After leaving Grange Hill she appeared in popular shows such as Heartbeat, A Touch of Frost and Holby City. Her most recent TV role was in an episode of Casualty in 2014.
Michelle Herbert
Played: Trisha Yates
Michelle played bad girl Trisha Yates in the school drama from 1978 to 1982 but after leaving Grange Hill, Michelle gave up acting and worked for a major sweet manufacturer.
She made a brief return as Trisha in the final episode of Tucker’s Luck, a Grange Hill spin-off based on Todd Carty’s character Tucker.
Michelle moved to Dundee in the early 1990s to bring up her family, where she works alongside her husband running their family glazing business.
She noticed a small dimple on her breast while on holiday in Rome in May 2015.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer and following a mastectomy was given the all-clear. Now she campaigns to raise awareness of the lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer.
As Benny Green, Terry Sue-Patt was the first character to ever be seen on the show and became one of the most popular characters
Benny Green
Played: Terry Sue-Patt
As Benny Green, Terry Sue-Patt was the first character to ever be seen on the show and became one of the most popular characters.
He was discovered aged 14 by a talent scout while playing football in the park and enjoyed success in 1989 film The Firm, starring alongside Gary Oldman and Phil Davis.
He said: ‘I basically played myself in Grange Hill. There weren’t many black actors about on TV at that time.
‘I had a great time, getting time off school to play football. It was a bit of a dream come true, really.’
He also had minor roles in other TV shows including Desmonds, General Hospital and Jackanory.
In October 2015, Terry was sadly found dead at his London home, aged 50, following a battle with alocholism.
He was found lying face down in bed and reports suggested his body may have lain undiscovered for a month.
Todd Carty said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the sudden death of his Grange Hill co-star.
Taking to Twitter, he said: ‘Deeply saddened by the news of a dear friend Terry Sue-Patt passing away. Thoughts with his family RIP xxx.’
They played best friends Tucker Jenkins and Benny Green. The pair left the show in the early 1980s just four years after joining but remained friends throughout their careers.
Alison Bettles, now 51, played Fay Lucas from 1982 to 1987 in six series of the show
Alison Bettles
Played: Fay Lucas
Alison Bettles, now 51, played Fay Lucas from 1982 to 1987 in six series of the show.
Bettles was one of the cast members to take part in the famous Just Say No single, to promote an anti-drugs message after the programme’s controversial storyline with Zammo McGuire who became hooked on heroin as a child.
The single reached number five in the charts in 1986.
In 1988, Alison appeared in an Eastenders spin-off called Civvy Street, set during the second world war, playing a young Ethel Skinner.
She continued acting with small roles in The Bill and No Strings in the Eighties and Nineties and last appeared on British TV screens in London’s Burning in 2001.
Now married with four children, she is a qualified beauty therapist and has reportedly set up a freight business. Meanwhile two of her sons have followed in her acting footsteps, clinching roles in Doctor Who and EastEnders.
Erkan Mustafa
Played: Roland Browning
Erkan Mustafa found fame in the Eighties as Roland ‘Roly’ Browning who was bullied for being obese.
He played the role for six years and became an iconic character in the series, suffering horrific bullying at the hands of Gripper Stebson.
By the time he left Grange Hill six years later, Roland was able to stand up for himself and had developed a talent for foreign languages.
Erkan Mustafa found fame in the Eighties as Roland ‘Roly’ Browning
After leaving the school drama in 1987, he went on to act in two series of Chef! with Lenny Henry as well as several episodes of Blackadder.
He still teams up with Lee ‘Zammo’ MacDonald for public appearances and charity events.
Erkan was also instrumental in bringing the cast back together for a 2009 reunion at Sound nightclub in London’s Leicester Square.
Now 50, he continues to act, write and direct according to his Twitter profile.
He was bullied for being obese on the show
George Christopher
Played: Ziggy Greaves
Popular Scouser Ziggy Greaves arrived at Grange Hill in 1986 and spent four years on the show, with his character compared to original scamp Tucker in the first series.
He went on to appear in Brookside as Little Jimmy Corkhill.
George has also appeared in numerous theatre productions, including some he’s written himself and is currently working on a stage version of Papillion.
He reunited with some of his Grange Hill class mates for Channel 4’s Bring Back Grange Hill and also works for a taxi firm.
John Holmes
Played: Luke ‘Gonch’ Gardener
Luke ‘Gonch’ Gardener stepped into the shoes of Pogo Patterson as Grange Hill’s ginger entrepreneur, joining the cast in 1985.
Always full of money making schemes, Gonch was a wheeler dealer who ran a toast bar, a dating agency, a homework service and a PE kit lending scheme all from the classroom.
In 1989, during Gonch’s last series, he fell in love with Mandy Freemont.
Actor John Holmes left the show to complete his education and studied at the University of East Anglia, where he eventually became president of the Student Union for several years.
John gave up acting after Grange Hill and now works as the manager of a casino.
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