Byker Grove cast: Where are they now?
The show started off the careers of Ant & Dec
Last updated 20th Jun 2018
Byker Grove was the hit 80s/90s Geordie teen drama that was full of angst and denim jackets, but what happened to the stars of the show when they left?
We all know that Byker Grove birthed iconic TV duo Ant and Dec, but did you know about the other celebs who started off in the BBC show?
PJ & Duncan, Ant & Dec
Our favourite presenting duo, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, have become national 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 & 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. Unfortunately, Dec has had to recently fly solo after Ant was involved in a drink driving conviction. We hope the pair get to reunite soon.
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.
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. In fact, she recently rejoined the lunchtime TV ladies after a five year hiatus.
Nicola Dobson, Jill Halfpenny
Jill Halfpenny became a Byker Grove favourite when she was just 14-years-old, playing the entertaining Nicola Dobson.
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 Air
Charlie Charlton was played by Donna Air who first graced the show at the tender age of 10.
Charlie Charlton, Donna Air
The actress, 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-Smith
Andrew Hayden-Smith entered the show as the hearthrob Ben Carter and made his first appearance in 1995.
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.
Jason, Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam played Jason in three episodes of Byker Grove after being spotted by a producer in a shoe shop.
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.
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.
Despite not getting many memorable TV jobs after she left the teen soap, Lyndyann takes smaller acting jobs and is a mother of two.