Byker Grove Cast: From Call Centre Jobs to Pet Lions - Where Are They Now?
Byker Grove stars Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have become television royalty since their days on the beloved Newcastle-based series, but what about their fellow cast members? The groundbreaking drama, which aired from 1989 to 2006, tackled hard-hitting issues like substance abuse and underage pregnancy, and made history in 1994 with children's television's first same-sex kiss. Two decades on, the lives of the former teen actors have taken dramatically different paths.
PJ and Duncan: The Unlikely Duo Who Conquered Television
Who could forget the iconic paintball incident that left PJ blinded? That shocking storyline cemented the characters of Peter 'PJ' Jenkins (Ant McPartlin) and Duncan Sperring (Declan Donnelly) in television history. Off-screen, the pair formed an unbreakable bond despite initially disliking each other. Before leaving Byker Grove, they launched band Groove Matrix and later found chart success as pop duo PJ and Duncan with hits like If I Give You My Number.
Their transition to television proved spectacularly successful, with presenting roles on SM:TV, Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain's Got Talent and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here transforming them into national treasures. Remarkably, this success came from two teenagers who originally couldn't stand each other, with Dec once admitting he thought Ant was "miserable" when they first met.
Spuggie's Dramatic Turn: From Vicious Attack to Cleaning Business
Lyndyann Barrass was just 12 when she joined the show as moody teenager Kirsty 'Spuggie' Campbell. Despite becoming one of the programme's most prominent characters, she struggled to find acting work afterwards, feeling pigeonholed as "the redhead from that Geordie show". Her career took a devastating turn when she was beaten unconscious in the street by strangers who recognised her as Spuggie.
This violent attack proved the final straw, prompting her to abandon show business entirely. As a single parent, she took a call centre job, calculating it would take two years to earn what Ant and Dec made in a single day. Today, the Sunderland resident runs a domestic cleaning business called Dusty Springclean, recently increasing her hourly rate to £14 to combat the cost of living crisis. Remarkably, she maintains a positive relationship with Ant and Dec, describing them as "still the two daftest" and "very grounded".
Geoff's Legacy: From Youth Leader to Teacher
Billy Fane's portrayal of beloved youth club leader Geoff Keegan, complete with his magnificent moustache, made him a fan favourite. Though his character died tragically in a gas explosion in 2000, the actor has continued to thrive. After Byker Grove, he appeared in pantomime and the acclaimed film Billy Elliot, and maintains friendships with his former co-stars.
In a surprising career move, Billy trained as a teacher for dyslexic adults in his mid-50s, working in young offenders institutions and prisons across the country. He received a special tribute on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and was among the first to support Ant during his 2017 treatment for painkiller dependency, calling him a "lovely, hard-working lad".
Groundbreaking Storylines: Noddy's Impact
Brett Adams made television history as Noddy Fishwick, whose confused kiss with his best friend Gary represented British children's television's first exploration of homosexuality. Despite controversy at the time, the storyline proved profoundly important. Brett received a letter from a teenage boy who said watching the episode prevented him from committing suicide, having realised he wasn't alone in his feelings.
After leaving the show, Brett formed band Point Break with fellow cast members, enjoying reasonable chart success before leaving the entertainment industry entirely. He now manages the Lakeside Bowling Alley in Weymouth and has four children, having previously worked behind a bar at a holiday camp.
Charlie's Transformation: From Girl Band to Lion Cubs
Donna Air joined Byker Grove aged 10 as ambitious reporter Charlie Charlton. Following Ant and Dec's lead, she formed musical act Byker Groove before creating girl group Crush at just 15. Though their music career stalled, it led to television hosting roles on MTV and The Big Breakfast.
Her personal life attracted considerable attention, particularly her relationship with multi-millionaire Damian Aspinall, with whom she had daughter Freya. In a remarkable development, Freya now hand-raises two orphaned lion cubs at the family's Kent mansion, describing the experience as "like raising two children". Donna continues acting, recently appearing in BBC drama The Split.
Debbie's Journey: From On-Screen Romance to Makeup Artistry
Nicola Bell played Debbie, PJ's on-off girlfriend who eventually fell for Duncan. Off-screen, she enjoyed a genuine romance with Ant that ended due to touring pressures. After Byker Grove, she appeared in legal drama Kavanagh QC before becoming a Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member.
Today, the Tyne and Wear mother-of-four works as a makeup artist and qualified personal trainer, maintaining a warm friendship with her famous former flame. Regarding Ant's 2017 rehabilitation, she remarked: "We're still in touch and still friends and I know that he's doing OK."
The diverse paths of the Byker Grove cast reveal how childhood fame can lead in dramatically different directions. While some found enduring success in entertainment, others faced challenges that took them far from the spotlight, yet all remain connected by their shared experience on a groundbreaking television programme that shaped a generation.
