A Pudsey teenager is proud of being a school bully.

But he has a lot to live up to, because he follows a long line of bullies who have prowled the corridors of a famous London school.

Jonny Dixon's devilish antics will be screened for the nation to see - starting on Tuesday.

For Jonny is the latest bully to terrorise Grange Hill, all in the name of TV drama, of course.

The young actor hopes that following in the grand tradition of Grange Hill bullies will lead to fame and fortune.

Jonny, of Crawshaw Rise, plays bully Matthew "Mooey" Humphries in the new series of the 25-year-old children's television show.

The 13-year-old even gets to appear alongside the famous Tucker Jenkins - actor Todd Carty, now of EastEnders fame - who was hero to a generation of school children and makes a brief re-appearance on Tuesday at 5pm on BBC1.

Jonny, as Mooey, has to follow in the footsteps of Gripper Stebson (Mark Savage), Grange Hill's most deadly villain, Gripper's reign of terror in the early 80s sent characters like Roland Browning into panic.

And then there was Trevor Cleaver (John Drummond), the ginger-haired, overweight peril who took youngsters' dinner money and drank lager.

There was the devious and manipulative Imelda Davis (Fleur Taylor) and then Mauler McCaul (Joshua Fenton), whose gang of henchmen were even more brainless than he was.

But Jonny must be doing something right, because the producers have asked him to play Mooey for a second series, with filming to start in July, before the first one has even been aired.

Crawshaw High School pupil Jonny, 13, became interested in acting five years ago and joined Bradford's Stage 84, which also produced Jack Shepherd, David Platt in Coronation Street.

The two boys live near each other, went to school together and are firm friends.

"Jack is my best mate so he has been giving me some tips," said Jonny.

"I had to go to four auditions and was very happy to get the part because I used to watch the programme."

His parents, Michael and Lynn, and brother Andy, 22, are supportive of his dramatic ambitions.

He said: "My dad always said I would be a good actor, so I went to drama school and that's what I want to do now.

"Although I am a friendly person, I would rather play a baddie because it is more exciting.

"It sounds nasty, but it is quite good fun picking on people."

This series is the first to be filmed in Liverpool by Mersey Television, but is still set in a fictional part of London.

With a tough filming schedule from July to November, Jonny has a tutor at school to help him catch up in time to take his GCSE exams.

He is not sure if people will soon recognise him in the streets, but hopes they won't try to take revenge on behalf of his victims.

"My friends are chuffed for me," he said. "Hopefully people won't think I am a bully in real life!"

Grange Hill, which won a Bafta in 2001, has been a springboard for many actors including Alex Kingston (ER) and Todd Carty.

Val Jackson, founder of Stage 84, said the producers had auditioned thousands for the part.

She said: "I'm delighted. He's worked very hard and deserves this success. He's a nice popular young man."