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Three former The Bill cast members have reunited – 40 years on since the show’s first episode was broadcast.
The soapy ITV police drama first began on this day in 1984, running for 26 series until its cancellation in 2010. The idea was sparked following a successful pilot episode, Woodentop, in 1983.
Each episode followed the lives of staff working at the fictional Sunhill Police Station.
To celebrate the special anniversary, actors Mark Wingett, Graham Cole and Andrew Lancel appeared on This Morning to reminisce about times gone by with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley.
Fans of the show will of course know the trio better as DC Jim Carver, PC Tony Stamp and DI Neil Manson.
Mark described his tenure as ‘amazing’, after starring in 791 episodes between the pilot and 2007.
Andrew added that the thought of working with such a legendary actor – and having to talk down to his character – was ‘quite a daunting thing to go into.’
Their appearance sparked interest with Metro readers, with many taking to social media to express their excitement and hopes that one day it will be recommissioned.
‘Crazy how many careers that show launched. I grew up watching it in the early 2000s and it was honestly one of the best things on telly’ said one fan.
Another added: ‘Should never have been axed. One of my favourite shows growing up so I’d love to see it back.’
One reader shared a somewhat unfortunate story about a behind-the-scenes blunder: ‘All I know of this show is they used to film it in Croydon, and the place my mum worked got properly robbed whilst she was there’ they said.
‘No one intervened or helped because they thought it was just part of the filming.’
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When asked whether the show could ever be revived, Andrew remained optimistic and cited its new fanbase as a result of repeats on U&Drama: ‘In many ways, it’s never gone away’ he said.
‘It’s still there, I don’t know how they would reboot it, I’m sure they’d find a way.’
Graham continued: ‘I think sometimes just keep it, keep it as it was.’
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