Grange Hill bully Georgie Smith actor Sam Smart unrecognisable 38 years after his reign of terror

GRANGE Hill bully Georgie Smith looked completely different from his schoolboy role as he starred in a comedy sketch.

Actor Sam Smart played gang leader Gripper Stebson’s pal in the BBC series back in 1983.

He was known for his blonde hair, with a chunky fringe that fell down his face, and causing havoc with his mates.

Some fans suggested the character “loved violence so much” because, after a particularly aggressive scene, he was seen skipping down the school corridor.

After his role in the BBC children’s drama TV show, Sam went on to star in a host of dramas, including numerous telly roles on The Bill.

Yet it is a resurfaced snap of his time on Harry Enfield’s Harry Enfield and Chums TV series has left fans stunned.

A Grange Hill fan account took to Twitter to reveal a snap of an adult actor, dressed in a black shirt and cream zip cardigan, with the tease: “Just watching Harry Enfield and Chums when an ex-pupil from Grange Hill turned up. Anyone know who this is?”

After no one failed to turn up the right answer, they added: “No one guessed it.

“This is Sam Smart who played Georgie Smith, one of Gripper’s henchmen.”

Fans could then draw similarities with the character’ blonde hair and sassy expression.

Sam’s latest recorded TV role was on mini series White Teeth in 2002, where he played a car salesman.

He also delighted soap fans back in 1999 with a cameo in EastEnders’ New Year’s Eve episode, playing the role of Chris.

HILL HISTORY

Grange Hill began its run in 1978 on BBC1, and was one of the longest-running programmes on British television when it ended its run in September 2008.

It was created by Phil Redmond, who is also responsible for the Channel 4 soaps Brookside and Hollyoaks.

After 30 years, the show was cancelled in 2008 as it was felt by the BBC that the series had run its course.

Grange Hill was originally filmed at real schools in London.

The first of these was Kingsbury High School in North London, which was used as the Grange Hill setting for the first two series.

For series 3, in 1980, exterior filming moved to Willesden High School (now Capital City Academy) in Willesden Green, which was similar in looks to Kingsbury and was also situated in a residential area of the capital.

In 1981, Grange Hill moved to Holborn College (now Fulham Preparatory School) in Greyhound Road, Hammersmith – this was the longest serving of the “real schools”, remaining on screen until 1985.

Interior shots were filmed at the BBC Television Centre.

Production moved to BBC Elstree Centre in 1985 with an office block, Neptune House, used as the school.

In 2003 filming moved to Liverpool and continued until 2008.

Twitter

Actor Sam left viewers stunned when he later appeared on a Harry Hill sitcom[/caption]

Not known, clear with picture desk

Sam’s character was part of Gripper’s reign of terror in 1983[/caption]

BBC

The series wrapped in 2008[/caption]