Joey Barton, the Newcastle United and England footballer, is to star in a brand new series of the cutting-edge TV drama for children and adults, Grange Hill.
Barton, recently freed from prison after serving a 6-month sentence for Assault & Battery and Impatience When Waiting For A Burger, is a good friend of Liverpool writer Phil Redmond, who devised the show. For those who haven't seen Grange Hill before, it's about a school.
The BBC had recently axed the show - its last broadcast was on September 15th - but Redmond is now bored, and has dreamt-up a new vehicle for his pal, the Unhinged One.
Barton plays 13-year-old Joey, a ruffian who is good with his fists, but who also likes to play a bit of football. All too frequently though, his demonic side gets the better of him, and he ends up outside the Head's office, which usually ends with a lengthy detention.
Also starring in the first episode of the new series, is former Manchester City player, Ousmane Dabo, who falls foul of Joey when they argue over an ice-cream, Dabo finishing up with his head caved-in.
Sir Kevin Keegan is to make a guest starring appearance as the know-it-all brother of PE teacher Mr 'Bullet' Baxter in Series 4 episode 116 next November.
