From the stars of My Parents Are Aliens to Girls In Love, prepare yourself for a trip down memory lane as we uncover what our favourite characters are up to now!
1. David Peachey (Bernard’s Watch)
You remember Bernard’s Watch don’t you? The CITV drama followed a young boy named Bernard (obviously) who had the ability to pause time with the help of his magical pocket watch. Remember it now? Of course you do! So, what has little David Peachey been up to these last fourteen years?
NOW -Where Has The Time Gone?!
It might surprise you to know that David Peachey traded in his acting career for life as a GP! The former child star studied Medicine at the University of Sheffield, before joining a practice in Nottingham where the show was filmed.
2. Tony Gardner (Brian in My Parents Are Aliens)
Tony Garner played the role of Brian Johnson, one of the aliens who crash landed on Earth after tampering with the controls in his spaceship in the popular television series My Parents Are Aliens. While he was never able to return to the planet Valux, you’ll be glad to know that Tony has had a pretty successful career here on Earth…
NOW -Rough And Ready!
Over the years Gardner has picked up a number of small-time roles on the likes of Law and Order: UK, Doctor Who, M.I. High, Fresh Meat and Unforgotten. In 2018, the actor landed a part in the British sitcom Lovesick which is now available on Netflix!
3. Carla Mendonca (Sophie in My Parents Are Aliens)
Carla Mendonca was the second actress to take on the role of Sophie Johnson in My Parents Are Aliens. Unlike her on-screen hubby, Carla’s character struggled with morphing and could only focus enough to do so when eating ice-cream. I know the feeling…
NOW -Living Her Best Life!
Carla Mendonca has ditched the retro look but she can still be spotted in a wide variety of kid’s TV programmes: including Dani’s House and So Awkward! It looks like her personal life is going well too as in 2016, she and fellow actor Clive Mantle – who is known for his roles in Casualty and Holby City – got hitched!
4. Alex Kew (Josh in My Parents Are Aliens)
My Parents Are Aliens landed on our screens in November 1999 (feeling old yet?) and followed the unique lives of Brian and Sophie Johnson -a pair of eccentric aliens- who wanted to give three orphans a second chance in life. If you watched the show then you will definitely remember Josh, the middle child who often came up with money making scams…but where is he now?
NOW -Life In The Spotlight!
If we’re being honest, Alex Kew hasn’t changed all that much since we last saw him on our television screens. Sure, his hair is longer and he’s grown a beard -but he still looks pretty much identical to the Josh we all know and love. These days the star has ditched acting for a life on stage as a solo artist!
5. Danielle McCormack (Mel in My Parents Are Aliens)
Sarcastic and angsty teenager Mel was the oldest of the three orphaned Barker children. Like her brother Josh, Mel formed a bit of an attitude after the death of their parents – which landed them in a number of different foster homes until they were found by Brian and Sophie.
NOW -GLOW Up!
After the show ended Danielle McCormack picked up a few small time roles before hitting the stage in 2009, where she performed as Cinderella in a pantomime. Since then she has been working as a singer/songwriter under the stage name ”Danni”.
6. Neil Buchanan (Art Attack)
CITV’s arts and crafts show Art Attack had us all believing that we were future artists in the making. How many of you can still remember hoarding empty milk cartons, old clothes and bits and bobs from behind the sofa? Yep, we all did it and at the time it drove our parents mad!
Neil Buchanan is the man we have to thank for all of our arts and crafts adventures but you’ll be shocked to see him now…
NOW -A Different Kind Of Art!
We didn’t know it at the time but Neil Buchanan was first and foremost a musician and in 1976 he formed a heavy metal band named ‘Marseille’. After 17 years of presenting Art Attack, Buchanan swapped his red jumper and PVA glue for an electric guitar and an all leather ensemble.
7. Arthur Darvill (Presenter)
It’s hard to forget Arthur Darvill (who went by his first name Tom at the beginning of his television career) with his spiked up hair and geeky glasses. The star worked as a main presenter for CITV from 1991 until 2000 and we’d be lying if we said we weren’t completely obsessed with him at the time.
NOW -The Last Centurion!
Does he look even more familiar now? Yes, it’s that guy from Doctor Who! When Darvill left CITV he founded his own theatre company before picking up the role of Rory Williams (A.K.A. Amy Pond’s doting husband). Now he’s even more famous for his portrayal of Reverend Paul Coates in Broadchurch and Rip Hunter in Legends of Tomorrow!
8. Danielle Nicholls (Presenter)
Danielle Nicholls joined CITV as a presenter in 1998 after she was selected from a group of 900 applicants. During her three years with the network, the star hosted Mad For It and Diggit, which at the time were hugely popular among viewers.
NOW -Radio Star!
Although Danielle made a few more television appearances after leaving the children’s channel, she has never managed to gain the same level of success. Nowadays she’s hosting a weekly radio show with her sister Jodie on Salford City Radio.
9. Keith Warwick (Trent in My Parents Are Aliens)
It seems like much of our childhood was spent waiting for Terence ”Trent” Clements and Mel Barker from My Parents Are Aliens to get together, but just when we were about to give up hope on our favourite ship, the creators answered our prayers.
NOW -He’s On Tour!
The Scottish actor played Donald Dee in The Wicker Tree (2011) which acted as a sequel to the original film, The Wicker Man. Recently though, Keith Warwick has taken the same career path as his fellow CITV co-stars and now performs his music all over the world!
10. Ryan Watson (Bernard’s Watch)
When David Peachey left the show in 2001 -after starring in the show for four years- the leading role of Bernard was picked up by Ryan Watson. Unfortunately, the new series didn’t bring us viewers the same feeling as the original, which led to the shows cancellation in 2005.
NOW -He’s A Director!
Now 25, actor Ryan Watson has moved on from starring in children’s television programmes and instead is more focused on standing behind the camera instead of in front of it. In 2014, Watson directed Two Housemates and The Passing Bells.
11. Rosie Day (Nicolette Ashbury in Bernard’s Watch)
Bernard’s next door neighbour Nicolette Ashbury was if you remember, the main antagonist of the show. Throughout the programme she was shown to be a cruel and arrogant girl, who in the end had no real friends. Thankfully, Rosie Day is very different in real life…
NOW -No Longer The Bully!
Rosie Day has changed a lot from her days on Bernard’s Watch and is now mingling with Hollywood icons like Uma Thurman on a regular basis. In recent years, Rosie has been starring in the hit drama series Outlander and in 2017 she landed a part in Down A Dark Hall.
Not bad for a school bully, eh?
12. Stephanie Fearon (Harry in My Parents Are Aliens)
Stephanie Fearon was introduced to the show after Mel (Danielle McCormack) went off to Canada as part of an exchange trip at the end of the sixth series. Harriett ”Harry” became the fifth child adopted by the Valux natives, Sophie and Brian Johnson.
NOW -Real Life Dorothy?!
When My Parents Are Aliens came to a close in 2005, Stephanie Fearon enrolled at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts where she graduated with a diploma in professional musical theatre in 2009. The following year she competed in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre competition Over The Rainbow.
13. Dominic Wood (Jungle Run)
If you don’t know, Jungle Run was CITV’s answer to Fort Boyard and The Crystal Maze. From 1999 until 2000 the game show was presented by ”Jungle Guide” Dominic Wood, who explained a set of five challenges to a group of children.
NOW -He Found His Other Half!
It’s now a rare occurrence that we see Dominic Wood without his double act partner, Richard McCourt. The pair have been entertaining kids all over the shop since they first formed in the early 2000s, which led them to win two BAFTA’s!
14. Olivia Hallinan (Ellie in Girls In Love)
Do you remember Ellie from Girls In Love? As the protagonist of the show us viewers formed the strongest connection with the character and for the most part, the situations presented in the programme were narrated by her or shown through her drawings.
NOW -Sugar Rush!
Olivia Hallinan went from starring as Ellie to landing the role of Kim in the British comedy series Sugar Rush which first aired in 2005. You might also recognise Hallinan from her brief appearance in the Doctor Who spin off series Torchwood!
15. Amy Kwolek (Nadine in Girls In Love)
Amy Kwolek was the actress who played Nadine in Girls In Love. If you remember Nadine then you will know that unlike the other two, she had a bit of a wild child personality and was always standing out from the crowd with her gothic attire.
NOW -She’s Over The Goth Phase!
Despite her success on the show, Amy Kwolek has spent much of her adult life drifting between small roles in British medical dramas like Casualty and Doctors. It’s only recently that she has attempted to reignite her acting career with her appearance in the 2017 film This Is Axiom.
16. Zaraah Abrahams (Magda in Girls In Love)
Magda is the last member of our Girls In Love trio and similarly to Nadine, she had a habit of standing out with her loud and boisterous personality. The real question that’s on all of our minds though is: Where is she now?
NOW -Ice Queen!
A few months after leaving CITV, Zaraah Abrahams was hired as Joanne Jackson in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. From there she went on to star in Waterloo Road for a few years before competing in the final series of Dancing On Ice!
17. Timmy Mallett (Presenter)
Timmy Mallett is perhaps one of the most memorable CITV presenters of all time on account of his striking ensembles and bubbly personality. Mallett was known for hosting shows like Wide Awake Club and Wacaday, before CITV invited him to host Timmy Towers which ended in 2002.
How much has changed in 17 years?
NOW -He Can’t Get Enough Of Those Bush Tucker Trials!
You might recall that Timmy entered the jungle in 2004 as a stand in contestant on the ITV reality series I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and there must have been something about the experience he enjoyed since he returned as a full contestant four years later. Why, Timmy?
The presenter has spent the last few years focusing on his artwork and performing on stage in holiday parks around the country!
18. Royce Cronin (Chris in 24Seven)
Now we’re really testing your memory with this one! From 2001 until 2002, CITV released the drama series 24Seven, which followed a group of students living at Discovery House, a dorm at the Oaks Boarding School. As you can imagine, throwing a group of teens into a house by themselves led to wild parties, love triangles and major fallouts. We can’t imagine why it was cancelled after two seasons…
NOW -Off The Radar?!
When 24Seven finished in 2002, we never saw or heard from Royce Cronin again, until very recently. In 2017, the actor starred as Michel Van Rijn in The Iconoclast and in 2018 he filmed a small part in the Freddie Mercury biography/drama film Bohemian Rhapsody.
19. Augustus Prew (Drew in 24Seven)
Are all the memories flooding back yet? If not then Augustus Prew – who played Drew Jessup – might help to jog your memory a little bit more with his chiselled features and perfectly tousled hair. Most importantly, we want to know what happened after the show ended…
NOW -The High Life!
Unlike his 24Seven co-star Royce Cronin, Augustus Prew’s career excelled when the children’s show ended! You probably know him now for his appearances in Charlie St. Cloud (2010), Kick-Ass 2 (2013) and Prison Break (2017).
His love life seems to be going pretty well too and in January 2018, Prew married fellow actor Jeffery Self!
20. Fiona Wade (Anya in 24Seven)
Anya Vicenze might have been the girlfriend of Miles Silverstone but that didn’t stop his brother Chris from lusting after her like a lost puppy. After all what is a teen drama without a little love triangle thrown into the mix?
NOW -Soap Opera Star!
For most of us the memory of Anya has faded so much that we didn’t even notice Fiona Wade’s return to our screens in 2011 as Priya Sharma in Emmerdale! It was during the filming process that she first laid eyes on her soon-to-be hubby, Simon Cotton or as fans know him: Hugh Bryant!
21. Stephen Mulhern (Presenter)
Stephen Mulhern kick started his career as a presenter when he was hired by CITV to host Finger Tips alongside Fearne Cotton. His talents became clear almost immediately, which landed him another position, this time on Ministry of Mayhem with Holly Willoughby.
NOW -Forever Baby Faced!
Unfortunately, we don’t know Stephen Mulhern’s secrets to maintaining a permanent baby face. Seriously, does this guy ever age? However, what we do know is that after leaving children’s television, Mulhern has been a long-time presenter of Britain’s Got More Talent and Catchphrase!
22. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zack in Saved By The Bell)
American sitcom Saved By The Bell was aired on CITV and featured Mark-Paul Gosselaar as the leading character Zachary ”Zach” Morris – who could lie to your face and make you love him regardless. But now you probably wouldn’t even recognise the cheeky chap!
NOW -Family Man!
Gosselaar married advertising executive Catriona McGinn in August 2011 and together the couple have two children; a son named Dekker and a daughter named Lachlyn. As for his career, the star has made a number of television appearances and is set to return to our screens later this year in The Passage.
23. Tiffani Thiessen (Kelly in Saved By The Bell)
Kelly Kapowski was the girl everyone wanted to be in high school. She was popular, athletic and charismatic, yet she still somehow managed to keep her grades above average. Looking back, we really aren’t sure how she did all that but being fictional probably helps, right?
NOW -Happy Families!
Like her Saved By The Bell co-star Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen has barely left our screens for a moment since the sitcom ended. She has starred in a variety of TV shows and movies over the years and even subtly appeared in Hell’s Kitchen at the chef’s table in 2014!
Thiessen is also married to fellow American actor Brady Smith and together the pair have two children.
24. Fred Dineage (How and How 2)
Fred Dineage was already a seasoned presenter when he joined the children’s network for the epic How and How 2 television programmes, which were the definition of being both educational and most importantly -fun! We just know that if this guy was our maths or Science teacher we would have passed with flying colours…
NOW -He Loves The Darker Things In Life!
After 31 years of hosting on CITV it makes sense that Dineage wanted a bit of a change. In 2006, the star entered into the world of news presenting and when he’s not doing that, he’s educating us on the gruesome crimes of infamous serial killers via his documentary series Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook.
25. Morwenna Banks (The Witches in Meg and Mog)
Meg and Mog was an animated adaption of the best selling book series of the same name which was written by Helen Nicoll. Morwenna Banks loaned her voice to the witches in the show, but we’re pretty positive you will recognise her other works…
NOW -She Has Us In Stitches!
This talented actress has been voicing Mummy Pig in Peppa Pig since the show first launched back in 2004 as well as The Queen in the 2015 version of Danger Mouse. Not only is Morwenna an icon in children’s TV but she is also an award winning radio comedian!
26. Sophie Aldred (WOW! Presenter)
Doctor Who actress Sophie Aldred spent a brief period as a presenter on CITV in 1996. During the week we could count on her presenting It’s a Mystery with Neil Bucanan and every Saturday morning she would host the well-loved magazine programme; WOW!.
NOW -Reunited…Sort Of!
Like the majority of The Doctor’s companions, Aldred most likely thought she would never see the Time Lord again but boy was she wrong…
In 2012, the actress was cast as the voice of Tom in the BBC kid’s series Tree Fu Tom alongside David Tennant (Twigs) who just so happens to be the tenth incarnation of The Doctor!
27. Anna Williamson (Presenter)
Anna Williamson spent a year co-presenting on the network and is perhaps most notable for hosting the one-off gameshow series Rescue Robots, which if you haven’t guessed it -was based on the combat competition show; Robot Wars.
NOW -TV Shrink!
2010 marked the end of Anna Williamson’s career in children’s entertainment, but don’t worry she’s doing just fine! This Morning picked her up as an Agony Aunt in 2013 which allowed her the time to pen her book ”Breaking Mum And Dad: The Insider Guide to Parenting Anxiety”.
28. Michael Underwood (Presenter)
Michael Underwood picked up the presenting role on Jungle Run after Dominic Wood and Chris Jarvis jumped ship. Like many of our CITV heroes, we found ourselves being entertained by this star across the boar as he hopped between networks.
NOW -He’s Left The Jungle Behind Him!
Underwood switched from making kids laugh to entertaining adults when he was hired to host Let Me Entertain You on Saturday nights back in 2014. The star now splits his time between his job as a reporter for Do the Right Thing with Eamonn and Ruth and taking care of his two young children.
29. Jane Danson (Children’s Ward)
From 1995 to 1997, actress Jane Danson played the role of Paula in the ITV children’s television drama Children’s Ward. Unsurprisingly, thee show was aimed towards older children since it dealt with young patients in the ward B1 at the fictitious South Park Hospital.
NOW -Life On The Cobbles!
Paula is all grown up and has left the hospital for good but the drama isn’t over for her quite yet! In fact, the actress spends the majority of her time on the cobbles of Coronation Street where she plays Leanne Battersby.
However Danson is set to take a break from the soap opera later on this year as she is to take part in the eleventh series of Dancing On Ice, so keep your eyes peeled!
30. Fearne Cotton (Presenter)
Can you believe Fearne Cotton was only 15-years-old when she first popped up on our screens in 1996?! In 2000, she left her role at GMTV to focus instead on a career with CITV, which included hosting Draw Your Own Toons and Mouse. The shows encouraged children to use computers which some would argue, our generation does very well…Thanks Fearne!
NOW -Boss Lady!
As Fearne grew up she branched out and ended up working as a radio host (which eventually led to her own show on Radio 1), creating her own clothing lines and investing her free time in supporting charities. In 2008, she teamed up with Keith Lemon to present Celebrity Juice but last year she left her post in order to pursue other projects.
Thanks for reading!
