STOP EVERYTHING: Byker Grove is coming back including some of the OG stars

Byker Grove was the Geordie teen soap opera of DREAMS

Byker Grove

by Jadie Troy-Pryde |
Updated on

It's no exaggeration to say that Byker Grove was one of the best teen TV shows there ever was or ever will be.

NO exaggeration, do you hear?

And now it's back Back BACK thanks to Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin i.e. PJ and Duncan.

It launched their careers back in the late 80s / early 90s, and the pair will be executive producers on a reboot called simply Byker.

PJ and Duncan in Byker Grove
PJ and Duncan in Byker Grove ©BBC

In an excitable and exciting statement, Dec said the show would "help shine a spotlight on the North East and the talent the region has to offer both in front of the camera and behind it".

"Byker Grove will always be very special to us as the show which gave us our break, so we are beyond excited.

"We are looking forward to bringing this fresh incarnation to a whole new generation as well as those who remember it as fondly as we do."

Dec and Ant are said to be planing a cameo in the reboot of the show.

We know what happened to them but what of the rest of the cast? Find out what happened next for the teen stars of Byker Grove...

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Gallery

CLOSER Byker Grove then and now

PJ and Duncan1 of 15
CREDIT: BBC

PJ & Duncan, Ant & Dec

Presenting duo, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, have become TV royalty since they starred in the teenage soap drama for three years as PJ and Duncan. Who could ever forget the moment when poor PJ (Ant) lost his eyesight after a paintball game? The pair attempted to forge a music career, releasing three albums under their show names. Their version of Stepping Stone was a belter and we won't hear anything against it.

Ant and Dec2 of 15
CREDIT: Shutterstock

PJ & Duncan, Ant & Dec NOW

Ant and Dec started presenting on SMTV Live with nostalgic sketches like Chums, Wonky Donkey and PokeRap. They went on to present HUGE Saturday night shows such as Pop Idol, I'm A Celeb, Britain's Got Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway.

Denise Welch Byker Grove3 of 15
CREDIT: BBC

Polly, Denise Welsh

Denise might be better known for her role as Natalie Horrocks in Coronation Street, but before clopping around the cobbles she appeared in a handful of Byker Grove episodes as Polly.

Denise Welch Byker Grove4 of 15
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Polly, Denise Welsh NOW

Nowadays she is better known for her Celebrity Big Brother appearance, as well as her role on Waterloo Road and her presenting slot on daytime panel, Loose Women.

Nicola Dobson Jill Halfpenny5 of 15
CREDIT: BBC

Nicola Dobson, Jill Halfpenny

Jill Halfpenny became a Byker Grove favourite when she was just 14 years old, playing the entertaining Nicola Dobson.

Nicola Dobson Jill Halfpenny6 of 15
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Nicola Dobson, Jill Halfpenny NOW

She went on to appear in a host of soaps, including EastEnders and Coronation Street, and has won various awards for her performances on the West End stages in Chicago and Legally Blonde. Oh - and she won Strictly Come Dancing. Is there any end to her talents?

Charlie Charlton Donna Air7 of 15
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Charlie Charlton, Donna Air

Charlie Charlton was played by Donna Air who first graced the show at the tender age of 10.

Charlie Charlton, Donna Air8 of 15
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Charlie Charlton, Donna Air NOW

The actor, television presenter and fashion enthusiast has had loads of jobs since her Byker Grove days. She presented The Big Breakfast, starred in Hollyoaks and even had a part in blockbuster movie, The Mummy Returns. She was also the seventh person to leave Dancing on Ice 2018.

Ben Carter, Andrew Hayden-Smith9 of 15
CREDIT: BBC

Ben Carter, Andrew Hayden-Smith

Andrew Hayden-Smith entered the show as the hearthrob Ben Carter and made his first appearance in 1995.

Ben Carter, Andrew Hayden-Smith10 of 15
CREDIT: Lime Pictures

Ben Carter, Andrew Hayden-Smith NOW

When his days at Byker Grove were over he went on to present Live and Kicking and had a four-year career presenting CBBC. Andrew also had a role in Doctor Who and used to write a column for Attitude magazine. We last saw him as crooked cop DS Craig Armstrong who met a grisly end in Hollyoaks.

Charlie Hunnam11 of 15
CREDIT: BBC

Jason, Charlie Hunnam

Charlie Hunnam played Jason in three episodes of Byker Grove after being spotted by a producer in a shoe shop.

Charlie Hunnam12 of 15
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Jason, Charlie Hunnam NOW

The English actor has since starred alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names in some silver screen productions, including Nicholas Nickleby, Cold Mountain and Green Street. He also played Jax in the HUGELY popular drama series Sons of Anarchy. Nice work, Charlie.

Lyndyann Barras13 of 15
CREDIT: BBC

Spuggie, Lyndyann Barras

One of the most famous faces of Byker Grove, Spuggie was played by Lyndyann Barras, who featured on the show for four years.

Lyndyann Barras14 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Spuggie, Lyndyann Barras NOW

Despite not getting many memorable TV jobs after she left the teen soap, Lyndyann takes smaller acting jobs and is a mother of two.

Laura Norton Emmerdale and Byker Grove15 of 15
CREDIT: ITV

Laura Norton, Sam NOW

Laura Norton had a teeny-tiny role in Byker Grove, appearing as an extra called Sam in three episodes during 2014. She went on to play Kerry Wyatt in the ITV soap Emmerdale. Alas, her BG role was so small that we don't even have a still shot for you.

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