The show has not shied from issues like drugs, teen pregnancies and disability but now society has become too violent, according to actor Lee Macdonald who was drug addict Zammo.

“Real-life kids are facing so much worse, like hoodie gangs and stabbings,” he said.

CBBC’s Anne Gilchrist said: “The lives of children have changed a great deal since Grange Hill began and we owe it to our audience to reflect this.”

Writer Phil Redmond devised the series in 1978 based on his own experiences.

But for those wanting a nostalgia fix, Mr Macdonald and Erkan Mustafa – who played obese schoolboy Roland – are hosting their own music show, based on pop songs featured in early Grange Hill episodes.

 Zammo & Roland’s Skool Dayz is on digital channel The Hits on February 23 at 4pm.