Grange Hill star George Armstrong dies aged 60

Grange Hill and The Bill star George Armstrong dead: Actor who played Alan Humphries passes away aged 60 after ‘long battle with leukemia’

Former Grange Hill and The Bill star George Armstrong has died at the age of 60.

The actor, who was best known for playing Alan Humphries in the children’s TV drama, passed away on July 11 after a ‘long battle with leukemia’. 

Announcing the news on Twitter, a Grange Hill fan account penned: ‘I’ve just heard the very sad news that George Armstrong aka Alan Humphries passed away yesterday. 

‘RIP George. A true Grange Hill legend xxxx’

Heartbreaking news: Former Grange Hill and The Bill star George Armstrong has died at the age of 60

Devastating: The actor, who was best known for playing Alan Humphries in the children’s TV drama, passed away on July 11 after a ‘long battle with Leukemia’

Twitter tributes poured in on Thursday after the news broke, with one fan writing: ‘That is so sad. He was a legend.’

Another penned: ‘So very sad. Rip. G.H and tuckers luck. Always watched. Way to young. Our childhood stars are passing before our eyes.’

A third added: ‘A character from my childhood. Such sad news, thoughts with his family and grange Hill friends’

One said: ‘Sad news. Met him a few years ago. Top chap’

Born in London, George started acting at an early age but got his first notable role as Hubert Lane in 1977’s Just William. He starred alongside Bonnie Langford in the television adaptation.

Grange Hill was a popular children’s television drama series portraying life in a comprehensive school.

Alan Humphries became one of the TV series key original characters between 1978 and 1982.

Announcing the news on Twitter, a Grange Hill fan account penned: ‘I’ve just heard the very sad news that George Armstrong aka Alan Humphries passed away yesterday. RIP George. A true Grange Hill legend xxxx’

Twitter tributes poured in on Thursday after the news broke, with one fan writing: ‘That is so sad. He was a legend.’

Grange Hill: Back (L-R) Vincent Hall as Michael Doyle, George Armstrong as Alan Humphries, Mark Eadie as Andrew Stanton, unidentified male, Todd Carty as Tucker, unidentified female, Terry Sue Patt as Benny Green and Robert Morgan as Justin Bennett. Front (L-R) Michelle Herbert as Trisha Yates, Lyndy Brill as Cathy, Linda Slater as Susi McMahon and Ruth Davies as Penny Lewis in 1978

Played by George from the first episode until Series 5, the character joined Todd Carty’s Tucker Jenkins for three series of the spin-off ‘Tucker’s Luck’. 

Grange Hill Gold was fortunate enough to chat to George about early auditions, on set friendship, favourite moments and much more, in this exclusive interview.

After his time on Grange Hill, George continued to pursue acting opportunities and took on the role of PC Driscoll in The Bill in 1989.

Since giving up acting, George – who lived in Waltham Abbey – had become a Technical Theatre Manager at a public school.

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