ANYONE following the fly-on-the-wall series, '18', about pupils at Turton High School, might have been wondering just what happened to the group of teenagers after the cameras stopped rolling.
Many viewers missed the final episode of the 'docusoap' after Channel 4 changed its usual primetime Sunday evening slot to Saturday afternoon.
The final episode of the series saw the group of anxious A-level students receiving their results and preparing for life at university, college, work or re-sits.
Paul Manivannan, better known as 'Mani', was seen bickering with his dad throughout the five-week series, with the teenager often opting for a spot of football and partying instead of knuckling down and revising for his exams and fulfilling his dream of becoming a PE teacher.
Despite Mani having needed a 'B' and 'C' grade to get into Edgehill College in Ormskirk, he was still accepted in his Sports Studies degree with two Ds and an N.
The 19-year-old's disappointment was apparent in the final episode and his dad was also seen on film ranting and raving about his son's A-level results.
But Mani's misery turned to joy when while he was being filmed -- Edgehill phoned and offered him a place on his chosen degree course.
Mani, from Bromley Cross, said: "The whole experience of being on telly was weird. We were filmed over an 18-month period and I could really see myself grow-up on screen.
"My dad came across really well and it was funny seeing him go mad when I got my A-level results."
Studious Laxmi Limbani touched the hearts of many viewers when she was offered a place at Cambridge University, but the pressure of the exams got too much for her and she did not achieve the all 'A' result which she needed.
But the 18-year-old was not too disheartened as she still gained a notable three 'B' result and is now studying Law at Sheffield University.
Laxmi, from Great Lever, has settled into student life and is sharing a house with five girls.
She said: "I was really upset when I got my A-level results and my parents were upset because I was upset. It was strange seeing myself on TV.
"People were always staring at me in the street and, since I came to Sheffield, I keep getting stopped in the street by people asking me why I'm not in Cambridge."
Francesca Simpson, better known as 'Frankie', proved to be one of the most popular characters in the series with her passion for partying overtaking any time she might have had for revision.
The 18-year-old, who spent more time working in McDonald's than studying, failed all of her exams, but has now turned over a new leaf and plans to behave herself.
Frankie, who lives in Sharples, has started an Advanced GNVQ course in Business Studies at Bolton College and is not out on the town quite as much.
She said: "I've calmed down a lot and most of my friends have moved away to uni, so I'm not going out as much as I used to."
Frankie is still going out with her boyfriend, 'Dave', whom she was filmed with during the series. "It was a once in a lifetime experience and it was funny when kids kept coming up to me and asking if I was on the telly," she said.
Justine Kirkham-Myers, whose family was living in a mobile home while their house was built, had been desperate to become a vet, but did not achieve the grades she needed and is believed to be working in Starbuck's Coffee House in London while she considers her future.
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