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’
Twitter tributes poured in on Thursday after the news broke, with one fan writing: ‘That is so sad. He was a legend.’
Heartbreaking news: Former Grange Hill and The Bill star George Armstrong – who played Alan Humphries has died at the age of 60 after a ‘long battle with leukemia’
Devastating: The actor, who was best known for playing Alan Humphries in the children’s TV drama, passed away on July 11 – pictured back in 2000
Grange Hill legends: George (right) starred alongside EastEnders actor Todd Carty (middle)
‘So very sad. Rip. G.H and tuckers luck. Always watched. Way to young. Our childhood stars are passing before our eyes.’
‘A character from my childhood. Such sad news, thoughts with his family and grange Hill friends’
‘Sad news. Met him a few years ago. Top chap’
‘Very sad to learn of the passing of this lovely man. R.I.P. George Armstrong, who many will remember as #GrangeHill’s Alan Humphries xx #70s #80s.’
George’s Grange Hill co-star Robert Craig-Morgan paid tribute on Twitter: ‘Goodbye my friend. I loved you George xx’
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, which premiered in 1978 on BBC1 and ran until 2008, was a popular children’s television drama series portraying life in a comprehensive school.
The show dealt with typical school issues like bullying as well as hard-hitting storylines such as racism, drugs and teenage pregnancy.
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’
George’s Grange Hill co-star Robert Craig-Morgan paid tribute on Twitter: ‘Goodbye my friend. I loved you George xx’
Twitter tributes poured in on Thursday after the news broke, with one fan writing: ‘That is so sad. He was a legend.’
Throwback: Todd Carty as Tucker Jenkns, George Armstrong as Alan Humphries and Terry Sue Patt as Benny Green
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’.
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.
It comes just five months after fellow Grange Hill Star Lee Whitlock sadly passed away at age 54.
The cast celebrated 40 Years of Grange Hill in 2018: (L-R) Lisa Skeates, (played Christine Everson), Joanne Boakes, (played Anita Unsworth), Mark Baxter, )played Duane Orpington), Linda Magistris, (played Susie McMahon), George Armstrong, (played Alan Humphries), Anna Home (commissioned Grange Hill), Paul McCarthy, (played Tommy Watson)
