For many, actor Lee MacDonald will always be known as Zammo from 1980s kids’ show, Grange Hill.
But Lee, 50, is making a small-screen comeback after 32 years away from the profession after he signed up for a role in EastEnders.
And although viewers of a certain age will remember him from Grange Hill, Lee has revealed that playing the troubled teen character ‘killed his career’.
Read more: Grange Hill legend Lee MacDonald joins EastEnders in shock TV return
Grange Hill made Lee one of the most recognisable actors of the 1980s.
His character, Zammo McGuire, was involved in one of the most controversial storylines of the time.
The nation was gripped as Zammo descended into heroin addiction, surviving his addiction after a stint in rehab.
The storyline captured the country’s imagination, with the cast even recording a top five hit, Just Say No.
He told The Sun that although he had made cameo appearances since, he struggled to find work.
He feared that his association with drugs had put potential employers off.
Read more: EastEnders fans fear that Honey Mitchell will be abused by Adam Bateman
Now he’s back in EastEnders, playing bus driver Terry, who’s set to clash with Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) over a radio competition to win gig tickets.
As he made his filming comeback, Lee was shocked to find that workers at Elstree Studios – EastEnders’ home and where Grange Hill was filmed – still recognised him.
“It was just surreal going back and walking down the corridor and there’s pictures of me,” he said.
“It was like going back home to go in and do the reading. I just felt at home when I walked in, it was unreal.”
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