Peter "Tucker" Jenkins is a major protagonist on the BBC children's school drama Grange Hill, as well as the titular protagonist of the spin-off Tucker's Luck.
He was played by Todd Carty, who also played Mark Fowler on EastEnders.
Development[]
In his characterisation, he appeared as the troublesome student at the titular comprehensive school from 1978 to 1982. Despite his misdeeds, Tucker looked out for his friends and protected anyone victimised by school bullies. His titular spin-off depicts Tucker's post school life and his attempts to find work during the recession. An older Tucker returned as a cameo character on Grange Hill in 2003 and the show's final episode in 2008.
Biography[]
An eleven year old Tucker Jenkins began attending Grange Hill school in 1978 along with his friends Alan Humphries and Benny Green. On his first day he begins causing trouble by flicking elastic bands at his classmate Trisha. Despite Tucker's troublemaking and antagonistic nature, he would look out for his friend Benny (who is black) from racist and troublesome classmate Michael Doyle, the show's main antagonist at the time and Tucker's rival. Later in the series when Doyle and his mates began thieving Tucker and his mates jumped Michael and threatened him to back down.
In his final year at Grange Hill Tucker defended two boys from the show's new main villain Gripper Stebson. He departed the school later in the year during a leaving party. Tucker found his post-Grange Hill life difficult as he struggled to find employment during the recession. He reunited with former classmate Trisha and the two briefly dated. Tucker eventually found work on a building site.
In 2003, several years later, Tucker - now a 36-year-old individual - gave his nephew Togger and the latter's friend a lift to school before dropping them off in the middle of the playground. Five years later Tucker made a final visit to the school to convince Togger that he should stay on and not drop out, so not to make the same mistake Tucker did decades earlier. After changing his nephew's mind Tucker departed Grange Hill on his motorbike.
Personality[]
During his school days Tucker appeared rebellious and immature and unruly and would often get into bother. Despite his troublesome behaviour he was still loyal to his friends and would look out for them, as well as other students. As he got older he would look out for the younger students that were being picked on and had no qualms about standing his ground.
In his adulthood his rebellious streak appeared to have gone and he matured and wised up. This became apparent in 2008 (thirty years since he originally started Grange Hill) when he urged his nephew to not make the same mistake he did and drop out of school early.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- He is the only character to appear in the first episode in 1978 and the final episode in 2008.
- Tucker having a motorbike in his 2008 appearance is likely a reference to Todd Carty's previous role Mark Fowler on EastEnders, who also owned a motorbike.