BBC axes Grange Hill after 30 years

Feb 6 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Grange Hill school sign with its premises in the background at Mersey Televisions campus manor _320

GRANGE Hill, the BBC’s long-running school drama is being axed at the end of this year after 30 years.

The BBC announced the news today, which has meant they haven’t renewed a contract with Childwall based Lime Pictures.

Lime Pictures production company, who have made the gritty drama for the past six years said they were disappointed at the decision.

But the studio, which also films Channel Four’s Hollyoaks, has been commissioned by the BBC to work on a new drama being developed by writer Jeanette Winterson.

Anne Gilchrist, Controller, CBBC, said: "Part of CBBC's reputation for reflecting contemporary Britain back to UK children has been built upon Phil Redmond's brilliantly realised idea and of course it's sad to say goodbye to such a much loved institution.

"The lives of children have changed a great deal since Grange Hill began and we owe it to our audience to reflect this. "

Tony Wood, Creative Director of Lime Pictures, said: "It has been a privilege to be involved with one of the great titles in the history of British television. I am proud of the relationship that Lime has built and maintained with the BBC over the past few years and look forward to working with them on future projects."