Jump to content

The Bill: Difference between revisions

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
revision of this page, as edited by Nikkimaria (talk | contribs) at 05:51, 15 September 2013.
Line 41: Line 41:
}}
}}


'''''The Bill''''' <!-- The Bill was a [[police procedural]] television series that was broadcast on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network from 16 October 1984 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, entitled ''[[Woodentop (The Bill)|Woodentop]]'', which was broadcast in August 1983. In its final year on air, ''The Bill'' was broadcast once a week, usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays, in a one-hour format. The programme focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work. At the time of the series' conclusion, ''The Bill'' was the longest-running [[police procedural]] [[Television in the United Kingdom|television]] series in the [[United Kingdom]], and was among the longest-running of any British television series. The series was produced by [[Thames Television]]. The series name originated from "Old Bill", a [[List of police-related slang terms|slang term for the police]]. This was also [[Geoff McQueen]]'s original title idea for the series, before he eventually decided on "The Bill".
'''''The Bill''''' <!-- The Bill did not cease to be a TV series when it ended -->is<!-- Please do NOT change "is" to "was". Even though the series has stopped, The Bill is still a television series.--> a [[police procedural]] television series that was broadcast on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network from 16 October 1984 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, entitled ''[[Woodentop (The Bill)|Woodentop]]'', which was broadcast in August 1983. In its final year on air, ''The Bill'' was broadcast once a week, usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays, in a one-hour format. The programme focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work. At the time of the series' conclusion, ''The Bill'' was the longest-running [[police procedural]] [[Television in the United Kingdom|television]] series in the [[United Kingdom]], and was among the longest-running of any British television series. The series was produced by [[Thames Television]]. The series name originated from "Old Bill", a [[List of police-related slang terms|slang term for the police]]. This was also [[Geoff McQueen]]'s original title idea for the series, before he eventually decided on "The Bill".


Although highly acclaimed amongst fans and critics alike, the series attracted controversy on several occasions. An episode broadcast in 2008 was criticised for featuring fictional treatment for [[multiple sclerosis]], and another episode in the same year resulted in [[litigation]], submitted by [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] [[George Galloway]] for [[defamation]]. The series has also faced more general criticism, concerning the levels of violence it portrays, particularly prior to 2009, when it occupied a [[watershed (television)|pre-watershed]] slot. During its time on air, ''The Bill'' won [[List of Awards of The Bill|several awards]], including [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]]s, a [[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]] award and the title of "best drama" at the [[Inside Soap Awards#2009|Inside Soap Awards]] in 2009, the latter being the series' fourth consecutive win. Throughout its twenty-seven-year run, the programme was always broadcast on the main ITV network. In later years, episodes of the show were repeated on [[ITV3]] on their week of broadcast. The series has also been repeated on other digital stations, including [[UKTV Gold]], [[Alibi]], [[Watch (TV channel)|Watch]] and [[UKTV G2]]. In March 2010, executives at ITV announced that the network did not intend to recommission ''The Bill'', and that filming on the series would cease on 14 June 2010. The last ever episode of the series was aired on 31 August 2010.
Although highly acclaimed amongst fans and critics alike, the series attracted controversy on several occasions. An episode broadcast in 2008 was criticised for featuring fictional treatment for [[multiple sclerosis]], and another episode in the same year resulted in [[litigation]], submitted by [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] [[George Galloway]] for [[defamation]]. The series has also faced more general criticism, concerning the levels of violence it portrays, particularly prior to 2009, when it occupied a [[watershed (television)|pre-watershed]] slot. During its time on air, ''The Bill'' won [[List of Awards of The Bill|several awards]], including [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]]s, a [[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]] award and the title of "best drama" at the [[Inside Soap Awards#2009|Inside Soap Awards]] in 2009, the latter being the series' fourth consecutive win. Throughout its twenty-seven-year run, the programme was always broadcast on the main ITV network. In later years, episodes of the show were repeated on [[ITV3]] on their week of broadcast. The series has also been repeated on other digital stations, including [[UKTV Gold]], [[Alibi]], [[Watch (TV channel)|Watch]] and [[UKTV G2]]. In March 2010, executives at ITV announced that the network did not intend to recommission ''The Bill'', and that filming on the series would cease on 14 June 2010. The last ever episode of the series was aired on 31 August 2010.

Revision as of 13:43, 17 September 2013

This article is about the British TV series. For the Polish punk rock band, see The Bill (band).

The Bill
An image from the final opening title sequence of The Bill.
GenrePolice procedural
Drama
Created byGeoff McQueen
StarringMain cast
Theme music composerAndy Pask
Charlie Morgan
ComposerSimba Studios
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series26
No. of episodes2400[1] (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersLloyd Shirley (1984–87)
Peter Cregeen (1987–89)
Michael Chapman (1989–98)
Richard Handford (1998–2002)
Chris Parr (2002)
Paul Marquess (2002–05)
Johnathan Young (2005–10)
Production locationsLondon, England
Running time22–4 minutes
(commercial ½ hour w/1 break)
42–6 minutes (as of 2010)
(commercial hour w/3 breaks)
Production companiesThames Television (1984-2001)
Talkback Thames (2002-2010)
Original release
NetworkITV
Release16 October 1984 (1984-10-16) –
31 August 2010 (2010-08-31)
Related

The Bill is a police procedural television series that was broadcast on the ITV network from 16 October 1984 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, entitled Woodentop, which was broadcast in August 1983. In its final year on air, The Bill was broadcast once a week, usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays, in a one-hour format. The programme focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work. At the time of the series' conclusion, The Bill was the longest-running police procedural television series in the United Kingdom, and was among the longest-running of any British television series. The series was produced by Thames Television. The series name originated from "Old Bill", a slang term for the police. This was also Geoff McQueen's original title idea for the series, before he eventually decided on "The Bill".

Although highly acclaimed amongst fans and critics alike, the series attracted controversy on several occasions. An episode broadcast in 2008 was criticised for featuring fictional treatment for multiple sclerosis, and another episode in the same year resulted in litigation, submitted by MP George Galloway for defamation. The series has also faced more general criticism, concerning the levels of violence it portrays, particularly prior to 2009, when it occupied a pre-watershed slot. During its time on air, The Bill won several awards, including BAFTAs, a Writers' Guild of Great Britain award and the title of "best drama" at the Inside Soap Awards in 2009, the latter being the series' fourth consecutive win. Throughout its twenty-seven-year run, the programme was always broadcast on the main ITV network. In later years, episodes of the show were repeated on ITV3 on their week of broadcast. The series has also been repeated on other digital stations, including UKTV Gold, Alibi, Watch and UKTV G2. In March 2010, executives at ITV announced that the network did not intend to recommission The Bill, and that filming on the series would cease on 14 June 2010. The last ever episode of the series was aired on 31 August 2010.

History

Main article: History of The Bill

The concept of The Bill was originally conceived by Geoff McQueen in 1983, then a relatively new television writer, as a one-off drama. McQueen had originally titled the production "Old Bill".[2] It was picked up by Michael Chapman for production company Thames Television, who retitled it "Woodentop" as part of Thames' "Storyboard" series of one-off dramas and was broadcast on ITV under the title Woodentop on 16 August 1983.[2] "Woodentop" starred Mark Wingett as Police Constable Jim Carver and Trudie Goodwin as Woman Police Constable June Ackland of London's Metropolitan Police, both attached to the fictional Sun Hill police station.[2]

Although originally only intended as a one-off, "Woodentop" impressed ITV to the extent that a full series was commissioned, first broadcast on 16 October 1984 with one post-watershed episode per week, featuring an hour-long, separate storyline for each episode of the first three seasons. The first episode of the full series was Funny Ol' Business – Cops & Robbers. With serialisation, the name of the show changed from "Woodentop" to The Bill.[2]

The series changed to two episodes, each of thirty minutes, per week in 1988, increasing to three a week from 1993. In 1998, The Bill returned to hour-long episodes, which later became twice-weekly,[3] at which point the series adopted a much more serialised approach. When Paul Marquess took over as executive producer in 2002, as part of a drive for ratings,[4] the series was revamped, bringing in a more soap opera type feel to many of its stories, and with many veteran characters written out, leading to the Sun Hill fire during 2002. Marquess stated that the clearout was necessary in order to introduce "plausible, powerful new characters". As part of the new serial format, much more of the characters' personal lives were explored, however, as Marquess put it, the viewers still "don't go home with them".[2] The change also allowed The Bill to become more reflective of modern policing with the introduction of officers from ethnic minorities, most notably, the new superintendent, Adam Okaro. It also allowed coverage of the relationship of homosexual Sergeant Craig Gilmore and PC Luke Ashton, a storyline which Marquess was determined to explore before rival Merseybeat.[2]

In 2005, Johnathan Young took over as executive producer.[2] The serial format was dropped and The Bill returned to stand-alone episodes with more focus on crime and policing than on the personal lives of the officers. 2007 saw the reintroduction of episode titles, which had been dropped in 2002.[4] In 2009, The Bill moved back to the 9 pm slot it previously held and the theme tune, "Overkill", was replaced as part of a major overhaul of the series.[4][5]

Cancellation

Further information: Respect (The Bill)

On 26 March 2010, ITV announced it would be cancelling the series later that year after 26 years on air.[6][7] ITV said that this decision reflected the "changing tastes" of viewers.[8] The last episode of The Bill was filmed in June 2010 and broadcast on 31 August 2010[9] followed by a documentary titled Farewell The Bill.[10] Fans of the show started a 'Save the Bill' campaign on social networking website Facebook in an effort to persuade ITV to reconsider the cancellation,[11] and some radio broadcasters, including BBC Radio One's Chris Moyles[12] presented special features on the programme's cancellation.

File:TheBillFinal5.png
Tribute to members of the Metropolitan Police Service at the end of the final episode

At the time of the series' end in August 2010, The Bill was the United Kingdom's longest-running police drama and was among the longest-running of any British television series.[13] The series finale, entitled "Respect", was aired in two parts and was dedicated to "the men and women of the Metropolitan Police Service past and present".[14] The finale storyline concerns gang member Jasmine Harris being involved in the murder of fellow member Liam Martin who dies in the arms of Inspector Smith after being stabbed.[1] Jasmine is then gang raped because she talked to the police and when Callum Stone finds the person responsible he is held at gunpoint. Of the title for the finale, Executive Producer Johnathan Young said "It's called "Respect" and we hope it will respect the heritage of the show". The finale episodes featured all the cast and the final scene was specially written so all cast members would be featured. Following the final episode, ITV aired a documentary entitled Farewell The Bill which featured interviews from past and present cast and crew members.[15] The finale was watched by 4.4 million viewers with Farewell The Bill averaging 1.661 million viewers.[16]

Broadcasting and production

Filming locations

Set of the CID office in the Merton studios (now Wimbledon Studios)

Throughout the series, there have been three filming locations for Sun Hill police station. From the first series, the police station consisted of a set of buildings in Artichoke Hill, Wapping, East London.[17] However, these buildings were next to the News International plant and during the winter of 1985–86 there was much industrial action which resulted in some altercations between the strikers and what they thought were the real police but were actually actors working on The Bill. Working conditions got so dire, that the production team realised they needed to find another base to set Sun Hill police station.[18] The second location was an old record distribution depot in Barlby Road, North Kensington in North West London .[17] Filming began here in March 1987. In 1989, the owners of the Barlby Road site ordered The Bill out, due to their redevelopment plans for the area. After an extensive search, two sites were selected, the favourite being a disused hospital in Clapham[citation needed]. However, this fell through and the second option was chosen—an old wine distribution warehouse in Merton, South West London. The move was made in March 1990 and the move was disguised on screen by the 'ongoing' refurbishment of Sun Hill police station and then finally, the explosion of a terrorist car-bomb in the station car-park, which ended up killing PC Ken Melvin.

Filming for the series took place all over London, mainly in South London and particularly the London Borough of Merton, where the Sun Hill set was located.[2] Locations used when the show was filmed on a housing estate included:

  • Cambridge Estate, in Kingston, south-west London[19]
  • High Path Estate, in South Wimbledon, south-west London (approx. 10-minute walk from the Sun Hill set)
  • Phipps Bridge, Mitcham[20]
  • Roundshaw Estate opposite Mellows Park in Wallington, London[21]
  • Sutton Estate, which includes Durand Close in Carshalton, where a housing block regularly used by The Bill for filming was demolished in November 2009.[22]

Scenes were often filmed in east London, most notably the London Docklands,[23] with other scenes filmed in Tooting,[24] Greenwich[25] or Croydon.[26]

"Sun Hill"

Metropolitan Police and station crest from the Sun Hill set

The Bill is set in and around Sun Hill police station, in the fictional "Canley Borough Operational Command Unit" in East London. Geoff McQueen, creator of The Bill, claimed that he named Sun Hill after a street name in his home town of Royston, Hertfordshire.[2]

The fictional Sun Hill suburb is located in the fictional London borough of Canley in the East End, north of the River Thames. The Borough of Canley is approximately contiguous to the real-life London Borough of Tower Hamlets,[27] and in the first few years of The Bill, Sun Hill police station was actually stated as being located in Wapping in Tower Hamlets. Sun Hill has a London E1 postcode (the 'address' of Sun Hill police station is given as '2 Sun Hill Road, Sun Hill, Canley E1 4KM'.[28]), which corresponds to the real-life areas of Whitechapel and Stepney.

Production details

When filming The Bill, some scenes were re-enacted indoors with microphones surrounding the actors and the extra sounds being "dubbed" on later. Some of the more aggressive scenes were also filmed indoors either for dubbing or safety reasons.[29] When filming scenes involving police cars, a camera was attached to the outside of the car which feeds back images to a computer in the back of the vehicle. This technique was used to film the new opening titles of The Bill.[30] The sirens used in the series were added later in the dubbing suite as The Bill did not have permission to use sirens while on location. However,[31] the police uniforms used in the series were genuine, again making The Bill unique amongst police dramas.[2][32][33] When the series ended, London's Metropolitan Police Service, after talks with the production company, bought 400 kilograms of police related paraphernalia, including flat caps and stab vests etc. to prevent them falling into the hands of criminals or those that would seek to use them for criminal activities after the programme's production ceased.[34]

The Bill is unique amongst police dramas in that it takes a serial format, focussing on the work and lives of a single shift of police officers, rather than on one particular area of police work. Also unique is that The Bill adapted to this format after several series, whereas comparable series started with the serial format.[35]

Broadcast in the United Kingdom

During its initial broadcast, The Bill was always shown on ITV. In 2009, STV, ITV's regional franchise in Central and Northern Scotland, opted out of broadcasting the series along with a number of other dramas, a decision that later became the subject of legal proceedings between STV and the main ITV network. The legal dispute was settled on 27 April 2011, with ITV receiving £18 million from STV.[13] Aside from repeats of episodes on ITV3, which occurred on the original week of their broadcast, the show has regularly been repeated on other digital stations. Re-runs of the series began on 1 November 1992, when new digital channel UKTV Gold began broadcasting. The channel broadcast repeats of the series for nearly sixteen years, until 6 October 2008, when the channel was given a revamp by the owners of the network. During the sixteen-year period, re-runs of the series covered every episode broadcast between 16 October 1984, and 8 March 2007.[36] On 7 October 2008, UKTV launched a new British drama channel, Alibi, and from this point on, episodes of the series were broadcast in the 8 am slot on the channel. Alibi broadcast episodes until 23 December 2009, when the show was taken from the channel's schedule due to poor viewer feedback. During the fourteen months that the show broadcast on Alibi, the channel covered all of the episodes broadcast between 25 August 1998 and 27 February 2002. On 27 January 2010, UKTV relocated "The Bill" to one of its more recent entertainment channels, Watch. Watch began by airing the episode "Sweet Revenge", broadcast on 21 March 2007. Thus, they continued in broadcast order, carrying on from where their predecessor, UKTV Gold, finished at. Through the course of the year, the channel continued to broadcast episodes from the latter years of the show, concluding in November 2010 with the episode "Conviction: Judgement Day", broadcast on 16 July 2009. Following a short break from the network, the series returned in December 2010, beginning with Episode #001, broadcast on 28 February 2002. This continued on from the broadcast order of episodes repeated on Alibi, carrying on from where the network finished at. As of April 2012, Watch has repeated every single episode from 28 February 2002 to 24 February 2005, and are about to begin airing episodes from March 2005. In July 2013 the show started to be broadcast by UKTV channel Drama starting with episodes from 1998.[37]

Broadcast outside the UK

The Bill has been broadcast in over 55 different countries:[2][38]

  • In Australia The Bill was shown on ABC1. The final episode was shown on 16 October 2010, with Farewell The Bill shown the following week on 23 October.[39] Repeats of the show begin on 7TWO in May 2011.[40]
  • On satellite and cable in Australia and New Zealand, older episodes are broadcast on UKTV.
  • In Denmark the series was retitled "Lov og Uorden" (Law and Disorder). Two episodes of the series are broadcast every afternoon on TV2 Charlie.[41]
  • In Ireland the series is broadcast on RTÉ television,[42] first starting in the early 1990s on RTÉ Two, in the early 2000s RTÉ began broadcasting it on RTÉ One at 5:30 pm each weekday, splitting hour long episodes into 2 part half-hour episodes, RTÉ discontinued this in 2009 moving the show to Monday Nights on RTÉ Two. RTÉ shows episodes from 2005. An hour long episode is now shown once a week. In 2010 RTÉ move the show from its prime time slot on RTÉ Two to a midnight slot on RTÉ One on Thursday nights, however the show remains on the RTÉ player.[43]
  • In Sweden the series was retitled "Sunhillspolisstation" (Sun Hill Police Station) by broadcaster TV4. It is now broadcast daily on Kanal 9 in the early afternoon with a repeat early the following morning.[44]

Themes and title sequences

Main article: The Bill title sequences
  • The pilot episode of the series, Woodentop, featured a short theme composed by Mike Westergaard. The theme was used specifically for the episode and was never used at any time during the main series. The title sequence for the episode consired simply of the word 'Woodentop' being spelt out letter by letter, as if someone was writing it on a typewriter.
  • The first ever opening sequence of The Bill was first seen in the episode Funny Ol' Business – Cops & Robbers.[45] The sequence consisted of two police officers, one male and one female, walking down a street, whilst images of Sun Hill were interspersed between them. This sequence was used for the first series only. It featured the first version of the series iconic theme tune, "Overkill", composed by Charlie Morgan and Andy Pask.[46] The end titles of the series simply showed the feet of the two police constables pounding the beat.[47]
  • In the second series of the show, the opening sequence consisted of a police car, a Rover SD1, racing down a street with its siren wailing and its blue flashing light on. The car would screech to a stop, and the camera would zoom in on the blue light. Various clips were then shown from the series of the characters in action, often chasing suspects. This sequence kept the first version of "Overkill", and also used the same ending credits from series one. This sequence was also used in the third series.
  • From the fourth series onwards, the opening sequence was kept generally the same, however, clips from the series used were regularly updated in order to remove departed characters and keep to date with the show's events. Minor changes to the sequence included the Rover SD1 changing into a Ford Sierra in 1993, and again being replaced by a Vauxhall Vectra in 1997. In the 1997 sequence, the Vectra was also seen overtaking a Leyland Titan bus, before screeching to a halt, and the main sequence starting. The end credits for the series remained the same, however, a new version of "Overkill" was used, also composed by Andy Pask and Charlie Morgan.[48]
  • On 6 January 1998, starting with "Hard Cash", the third episode of the show's fourteenth season, the title sequence and theme used for nearly ten years was scrapped. This time, the title sequence consisted of various police procedural images, including a suspect being show into a police cell, another suspect being interviewed, and a further suspect posing for mug shot photographs. Clips of any of the actors featured were removed, and the initial sequence, involving the police car racing down the street, was also scrapped. Pask and Morgan also revamped "Overkill", giving it a jazz feel, with the majority of the theme played by a saxophone.[49] The end credits of the series were also completely revamped. This time, the credits featured various images of the Metropolitan Police uniform, combined with images of a feet tapping on a curb. A longer version of "Overkill" was also used in the final credits, this time composed by Mark Russell.[50][51] These opening and closing sequences were used for nearly three years, however, both saw minor updates in 1999. The text sequence at the very start of the opening sequence was changed into a different font, and the images of the police uniform and feet tapping on a curb were removed from the closing sequence to make way for a preview of the next episode. The closing sequence remained this way until 2001, however, the opening titles were once again updated in 2000 to remove certain images from the sequence to make it shorter. It is also noted that during this period, a 'previously on The Bill' segment was aired before the title sequence, in order to inform views what had occurred in the last episode.
  • On 20 February 2001, starting with "Going Under", the fourteenth episode of the show's seventeenth season, the opening and closing sequences were once again scrapped to make way for a completely new sequence and theme. This time, the opening sequence consisted of a montage image of the entire cast, backed by a darker, slower version of "Overkill". The closing credits featured a montage of various police-related images, also backed by the new version of "Overkill".[52] The opening sequence was designed by the visuals company "Blue", and the new arrangement of "Overkill" was produced by Miles Bould and Mike Westergaard.[53][54][55] These titles remained essentially the same for two years, however, two small updates were made. The font used on the closing credits was changed towards the end of 2001, and the characters featured in the opening sequence were updated in 2002, to remove characters that had departed and include new characters starting on the show. These titles were broadcast from Episode #017, however, are notable as several of the characters in these titles had not yet appeared in the show, such as DS Samantha Nixon, who appeared in the titles from Episode #017, however, did not first appear until Episode #038, some four months later.
  • On 13 February 2003, starting with Episode #090, the opening and closing sequences were once again updated. This time, the opening sequence consisted of several generic police images, such as a police car and uniform. A new arrangement of "Overkill", made by Lawrence Oakley, was also used for both the opening and closing sequences. The background of the closing sequence, designed by company "Roisin at Blue", was simply a police shade of blue, with all generic images being removed.[56] Throughout its four-year use, these titles were never updated or changed, with the exception of the police shade of blue, which was changed to a dark shade of black in 2006.
  • On 3 January 2007, starting with Episode #471, the opening and closing sequences were once again changed. This time, the opening sequence, for the first time, features an image of the "Sun Hill" sign, and returns to featuring images of officers in action. This sequence also featured a further new arrangement of "Overkill", once again arranged by Lawrence Oakley.[57] This time, the closing sequence follows a police car on patrol, watching it as it drives through the streets of Sun Hill. These titles were used for nearly two and a half years.[58]
  • On 23 July 2009, after the programme underwent a major overhaul, the opening sequence and theme were heavily changed.[5][59] This time, the classic "Overkill" theme was completely removed, and a new theme created by Simba Studios was used.[60] However, producer Jonathan Young stated that echoes of "Overkill" can still be heard in the theme.[61][62] The opening sequence featured a patrol car driving through the streets of Sun Hill.[63][64] The closing sequence follows the same patrol car, however, this time, from an overhead view. These titles remained the same until the show's final episode, where the theme tune was replaced by a final version of "Overkill", in homage to the show.

Episodes

Main article: List of The Bill episodes

When The Bill was first commissioned as a series by ITV, it started with twelve episodes per year, each an hour long with a separate storyline.[2] In 1988 the format changed to year round broadcast with two thirty-minute episodes per week. In 1993 this expanded to three thirty-minute episodes per week. In 1998 the broadcast format changed to two, one hour episodes each week. Episodes were now recorded in 16:9 widescreen digibeta[citation needed]. In 2009 The Bill began broadcasting in HD and as part of a major revamp, was reduced to broadcasting once a week.[65] The Bill finished in 2010, with 2425 episodes broadcast.

Special episodes

The Bill has broadcast two live episodes. The first was in 2003 to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the pilot, Woodentop.[66] The second was in 2005 to celebrate the fiftieth birthday of ITV.[67]

The live episode in 2003 was episode #162, originally broadcast on 30 October 2003 at 8 pm, and produced with a crew of 200 staff including seven camera crews.[3][66] It was reported to be the first live television broadcast of a programme where filming was not largely confined to a studio.[66] Detective Constable Juliet Becker and Constable Cathy Bradford are being held hostage by a man called Mark. As they are being held hostage in a carrier in the station yard, Cathy Bradford raises the custody suite alarm. When the rest of the station arrive outside, Mark makes it known that he intends to kill Juliet Becker. The police get permission to break into the carrier, only to find that Juliet has been stabbed. She is rushed to hospital, but attempts to resuscitate her fail. The episode was watched by around 11 million viewers.[67] This special was later released onto DVD in United Kingdom 31 October 2011, as part of Network DVD's "Soap Box: Volume 1".[68]

The live episode in 2005 was episode #349, broadcast on 22 September 2005 at 8 pm. In this episode, it was revealed that PC Gabriel Kent had assumed a false identity. It is revealed that he has been operating under his brother's name and is, in fact, David Kent. In this episode the "real" Gabriel Kent arrived in Sun Hill to meet his mother, Sergeant June Ackland. In this episode, Sun Hill police station is hosting a reception party and, as the police arrive, they are taken hostage by a distraught father whose son was killed by a stolen car. A struggle ensues in which a shot is fired, alerting others in the building the incident. After an evacuation of the station, Superintendent Amanda Prosser encourages PC Dan Casper to attempt to overpower the man. As he does so, both Casper and the real Gabriel Kent are shot. The real Gabriel Kent is rushed to hospital where the false Gabriel Kent threatens him in order to keep the identity switch a secret.

A series of special episodes titled The Bill Uncovered were produced to reflect the stories of select characters and events. The first was The Bill Uncovered : Des and Reg (2004) – The story of the unusual friendship between PC Des Taviner and PC Reg Hollis, traversing their history from Des's first day at Sun Hill to his death in a Sun Hill cell.[69] The second was The Bill Uncovered : Kerry's Story (2004), the story of PC Kerry Young, who met her death outside Sun Hill.[70] The third special was The Bill Uncovered : Jim's Story (2005), the story of DC Jim Carver – from his first day at Sun Hill (in the pilot "Woodentop"). The last was The Bill Uncovered: On The Front Line (2006), in which Superintendent Adam Okaro recounts the extraordinary events that have surrounded Sun Hill over his time in charge.[71] A review of the second of these specials criticised the "increasingly degenerative plotlines" of the series, and characterised the special as a "cheerless outing" covering The Bill's "travesties of plot".[70]

In 2008, a special programme called "The Bill Made Me Famous" in light of the show's 25th anniversary was broadcast, which saw former actors and special guest stars telling their accounts of working on the show and how it changed their lives. It included old favourites such as Billy Murray (DS Don Beech), Chris Ellison (DI Frank Burnside) and popular TV personalities such as Paul O'Grady and Les Dennis.

Following The Bill's final episode on 31 August 2010, a one-hour special titled Farewell The Bill was broadcast.[72] The special explored the history of the series and gave viewers a behind the scenes look at the filming of the last episode.[72] This special was later release onto DVD in Australia 5 October 2011, along with the last two-part episode "Respect".[73]

Cast

Main article: List of characters of The Bill

The Bill had a large regular cast to support the number of episodes that were produced each year. Working on The Bill had become something of a rite of passage in British acting, with 174 actors having formed part of the series' main cast since the series began.[74] A number of cast members have played multiple roles in the series, and in other British soap operas and dramas.

Notable cast members

There are numerous actors who have either appeared on The Bill for some considerable length of time, or on whose careers The Bill has made a significant impact. The following is a concise list of the most notable, an expanded version is available at List of characters of The Bill.

  • Mark Wingett played DC, later promoted to DS, Jim Carver from 1983 to 2007.[82] After his marriage to June Ackland collapsed and he built up gambling debts, the character left Sun Hill. Since leaving, Wingett has also appeared in EastEnders.
  • Eric Richard played Sergeant Bob Cryer from 1984 to 2001,[83] the character leaving after being injured when he was accidentally shot by then PC Dale Smith. The character later made brief re-appearances in the series, including in one storyline involving his niece Roberta who later joined the station. Prior to appearing in The Bill, Richard appeared in a number of TV programmes including Open All Hours, Made in Britain and Shoestring.
  • Kevin Lloyd played DC Tosh Lines from 1988 to 1998. The character was written out as having accepted a position in the Coroner's Office after Lloyd was sacked for turning up drunk. Lloyd died a week after his dismissal.[84]
  • Jeff Stewart played PC Reg Hollis from 1984 to 2008. The character was written out after resigning under the grounds of being traumatised by the death of colleagues in a bomb blast. After learning of his axing from the show, Stewart attempted suicide on set by slashing his wrists.[85]
  • Graham Cole played PC Tony Stamp from 1987 to 2009. The character was written out of the series, taking up a driving instructor's post at Hendon, as part of the show's revamp, after producers felt that he didn't fit the style of the new show. Cole's last episode was shown on 5 November 2009 and his departure meant the end of a 22-year association with the programme.[86][87]
  • Trudie Goodwin played PC, later promoted to Sergeant, June Ackland from 1983 to 2007, appearing first in Woodentop.[88] The character retired in 2007 after her on-screen relationship with DC Jim Carver came to an abrupt end. When Goodwin left The Bill in 2007 she was not only the longest serving cast member in the history of The Bill, but also held the world record for the longest time an actor has portrayed a police character.[89][90]
  • Alex Walkinshaw played PC, later promoted to Sergeant and Inspector, Dale "Smithy" Smith from 1999 to 2010. Walkinshaw made three "one off" appearances in the series prior to becoming a regular cast member, and has since made appearances in several other British soaps and serial dramas, including Waterloo Road and Casualty.[91]
  • Chris Simmons played DC Mickey Webb from 2000 to 2010.[95] He appeared twice on the show playing different roles, most notably as a criminal in 1999, before joining the cast as a regular in the following year. He left the series temporarily in 2003, as the culmination of a storyline where his character was raped. He made several guest appearances before returning as a regular in 2005.

Ratings

The Bill has become a popular drama in the United Kingdom and in many other countries, most notably in Australia.[35][96] The series attracted audiences of up to six million viewers in 2008 and 2009.[97] Ratings during 2002 peaked after the overhaul of the show which brought about the 2002 fire episode, in which six officers were killed[98] and the 2003 live episode attracted ten million viewers- forty percent of the UK audience share.[99] Immediately following The Bill's revamping and time slot change, it was reported that the programme had attracted 4.5 million viewers, 19% of the audience share, however, it lost out to the BBC's New Tricks[100] with the Daily Mirror later reporting that ITV's schedule change was behind a two million viewer drop in ratings.[101]

In 2001, prior to Paul Marquess' appointment as executive producer, The Bill's ratings had dropped to approximately six million viewers and advertising revenues had fallen, in part due to the ageing demographic of its viewers, leading ITV to order a "rejuvenation" which saw the series adopt a serial format.[2]

In 2002, The Independent reported that The Bill's Thursday episode was viewed by approximately 7 million people, a fall of approximately 3 million viewers in the space of 6 months.[102] After the cast clearout resulting from the Sun Hill fire in April 2002, BBC News reported that The Bill attracted 8.6 million viewers, the highest figure for the year to that point,[98] and by October 2003, the program had around 8 million viewers each week.[3]

In 2005, The Bill was averaging around 11 million viewers, in comparison to Coronation Street, which was attracting around 10 million viewers.[103]

In 2009, The Daily Mirror reported that The Bill was to be moved to a post-watershed slot to allow it to cover grittier storylines. It was reported that it is the first time in British Television that ITV have broadcast a drama all year in the 9 pm slot.[104] The changeover happened at the end of July 2009. Before the move, The Bill was averaging 10 million viewers between the two episodes each week. BARB reports that the week 12–18 October 2009 saw 3.78 million viewers watch The Bill.[105]

Awards

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by The Bill

The Bill has achieved a number of awards throughout its time on air, ranging from a BAFTA[106] to the Royal Television Society Awards.[107] and the Inside Soap Awards, particularly the "best recurring drama" category.[108][109]

In 2010, The Bill was nominated for a Royal Television Society award for Best Soap/Continuing Drama, beating both Coronation Street and Emmerdale on to the nominations list. The only soap to be nominated was EastEnders and the results were announced on 16 March 2010.[110]

Impact and legacy

The Bill was Britain's longest running police drama.[111]

It has been compared to Hill Street Blues due to the similar, serial, format that both series take.[112] However, The Bill has seen little direct competition on British television in the police procedural genre over its twenty-five-year history, though the BBC has twice launched rival series. The first was Merseybeat, which ran from 2001 but was cancelled in 2004 due to poor ratings and problems with the cast.[2][113][114][115] The second, HolbyBlue, launched in 2007, was a spin off of successful medical drama Holby City (itself a spin off of the long running Casualty). It was scheduled to go "head to head" with The Bill, prompting a brief "ratings war", however HolbyBlue was also cancelled by the BBC in 2008, again, largely due to poor ratings.[116][117]

When The Bill started, the majority of the Police Federation were opposed to the programme, claiming that it portrayed the police as a racist organisation, however, feelings towards the programme have now mellowed[33] to the extent that Executive Producer Johnathan Young met with Sir Ian Blair, then Commissioner of the Met in 2006 and it was decided that the editorial relationship between the police and the programme was sufficient. However, Young stressed that The Bill is not "editorially bound" to the police.[33]

Despite better relations with the police, The Bill has still not been without controversy. The Bill has been repeatedly criticised for the high levels of violence portrayed in its scenes, especially prior to 2009 when it occupied a pre-watershed timeslot.[47] Specific story lines have also come under fire in the media, such as that surrounding a gay kiss in 2002,[2] as well as an episode broadcast in March 2008 which featured a fictional treatment for multiple sclerosis, leading the MS Society to brand the plot "grossly irresponsible".[118] In May of the same year, George Galloway, MP issued legal proceedings against The Bill for defamation after an episode, viewed by six million people, which featured a corrupt MP who smuggled antiques out of Iraq before the war, which Galloway alleged was a portrayal of him.[119][120][121]

The series has also been criticised by the tabloid press for the replacing of the iconic theme tune as part of a revamping effort.[122]

During its 27-year-run, The Bill spawned several spin-off productions and related series in German and Dutch languages, as well as a series of documentaries. The following is a list of the most notable of these.

  • SOKO Leipzig: German interpretation based on a similar format. SOKO Leipzig has been broadcasting since the late 1990s, but became better known when a crossover episode with the British series, entitled "Proof of Life", was broadcast on 4 September 2009.[123] It has been announced that further episodes of the series have been commissioned following the British version of The Bill ending in Germany in early 2011.
  • Bureau Kruislaan: Dutch interpretation of the series.[124] Produced by Joop van den Ende for VARA Television, the programme lasted for four series running from 1992 to 1995. In 1995, the show was nominated for the Gouden Televizier Ring, an award for the best television programme in the Netherlands. All four series of the show have been released on DVD there.
  • Die Wache: German interpretation of the series. As decent script-writers were hard to find at the time, the German producers were given the licence to utilise (re-use) scripts from the British series. The series was produced by RTL Television, running for nearly 750 episodes from 1994 to 2006.[125]
  • Burnside: Spin-off from the main British series, following ex-DI Frank Burnside in his transfer and promotion to the National Crime Squad.[126] The programme lasted for just a single series of six episodes, debuting in the UK on 6 July 2000. The series was created and produced by Richard Handford. On 8 October 2008, the series was released on DVD in Australia in a three-disc-set.

Merchandise

VHS & DVD

Main article: List of The Bill home media releases

Books

Book Year published Cover photo Notes
The Bill: Annual[129]
1 August 1989
Collage of images of DI Frank Burnside, PC June Ackland, DC Jim Carver and DC Mike Dashwood against a blue subframe
 Hardback
The Bill: The Inside Story Of British Television's Most Successful Police Series[130]
(Retitled The Bill: The Inside Story Of The Most Successful Police Series Ever Seen On ABC TV for Australian publication)
31 October 1991 (Hardback)
25 June 1992 (Paperback)
Full-size image of PCs June Ackland and Claire Brind, surrounded by a collage of images of Insp. Andrew Monroe, DI Frank Burnside, Sgt. Bob Cryer and DS Ted Roach, set against a black background
 Hardback
Paperback
The Bill: The First Ten Years[131]
31 October 1994 (Hardback)
31 July 1995 (Paperback)
Collage of images of PCs Tony Stamp, Reg Hollis, Jamilia Blake, Steve Loxton and Dave Quinnan, DCs Jim Carver and Tosh Lines, and DIs Frank Burnside and Sally Johnson, set against a blue background (Hardback)
A photo of the entire cast from the 1994–1995 series (Paperback)
Hardback
Paperback
The Bill: The Inside Story[132]
1 November 1999
Cast photo featuring DCs Duncan Lennox and Kerry Holmes, and PCs Vicky Hagen, Sam Harker and Dave Quinnan, set against the backdrop of a police car
 Paperback
Burnside: The Secret Files[133]
17 July 2000
A mug shot of DI Frank Burnside set against a black backrgound
 Paperback
The Bill: The Complete Low-Down On 20 Years At Sun Hill[134]
(Retitled The Bill: The Official History of Sun Hill for copies published in 2004,[135]
1 September 2003 (Hardback)
1 September 2004 (Paperback)
A montage of images from throughout the series' run, centered with an image of the Metropolitan Police crest
 Hardback
Paperback
The Bill: The Sun Hill Police Experience: The Official Case Book[136]
4 September 2006
A montage of images of various cast members from throughout the series' run, set against the backdrop of images of the Sun Hill bomb blast
 Hardback
On The Beat: My Story[137]
5 October 2009 (Hardback)
31 August 2010 (Updated)
A mug shot of Graham Cole in uniform as PC Tony Stamp
 Hardback
Paperback

Novels

Novel title Year published Episode Cover photo
The Bill 1[138]
1985
Adapted select episodes of Series 1 (1985)
PC Jim Carver chasing a suspect through the streets
The Bill 2[139]
1987
Adapted select episodes of Series 2 (1986)
Sergeant Bob Cryer talking on his radio whilst in civilian clothing
The Bill 3[140]
1989
Adapted select episodes of Series 4 (1988)
Sergeant Bob Cryer and Inspector Christine Frazer talking in the station carpark
The Bill 4[141]
1990
Adapted select episodes of Series 5 (1989)
DCs "Tosh" Lines and Mike Dashwood out on an obbo
The Bill 5[142]
1991
Adapted select episodes of Series 5 (1989)
DS Ted Roach discovering an injured child under a crashed car
The Bill 6[143]
1992
Adapted select episodes of Series 6 (1990)
Inspector Andrew Monroe and DI Frank Burnside watching as a suspect is arrested
The Bill: Omnibus[144]
1992
Adapted select episodes of Series 1–4 (1984–1988)
Sergeant Bob Cryer and PC Dave Quinnan detaining a suspect with a gun
The Bill: Tough Love[145]
1997
Adapted from the Series 12 (1996) episode
PC George Garfield talking to a suspect
The Bill: Junior[146]
1997
Adapted from the Series 12 (1996) episode
PC Steve Loxton watching out for a suspect

Music

Release title Publisher and year Format Song included
The Bill Overkill by Morgan Pask[147]
Columbia Records (1985)
"7" Vinyl
Side A – Overkill and Side B -Rock Steady
Greatest TV Themes: The 90s[148]
CHV Music Factory (19 July 2010)
Mp3 download
Overkill

Event Merchandising

Item Description
Clothes Baseball Cap – black, embroidered with The Bill logo.
Beanie Hat- black,embroidered with The Bill Logo.
Fleece – black, embroidered with the Bill Logo.[149]
Polo Shirt – black, embroidered with the Bill logo.[150]
T-Shirt – black, embroidered with the Bill logo.[149]
Water proof Jacket Sydney Jacket – embroidered with the Bill logo.
Toys Land Rover – The Bill Landrover 4x4, (scale 1:43).[149]
Police Car – The Bill Omega Police Car, 11.5 cm (scale 1:43).[149]
Police Van – The Bill Van.
Police Helicopter – working with light and sound, also includes 30 cm action figure and accessories.[151]
Police Van and Traffic Officer – working with light and sound, also includes 30 cm action figure and accessories.[151]
Action Figures Male PC "12" – with accessories, includes duty belt.[149]
Female Sergeant – with radio and duty belt. – with accessories, includes duty belt.[149]
Public Order PC – with watch, truncheon, handcuffs,fire extinguisher and duty belt.[149]
Traffic Sergeant – with extendable truncheon, radio, flat hat, watch and duty belt.[149]
Miscellaneous Silver plated keyring – 20th Anniversary collector's edition.[152]
Umbrella – with The Bill logo.[150]
Watch – with The Bill logo and Velcro Strap.[152]
Back pack – Embroidered with The Bill logo.[150]
Mug – white with The Bill logo.[149]
Thermal Mug – Black with The Bill logo.[152]

See also

Wikinews has related news:

References

  1. ^ a b "The Bill cast fight back tears as they film show's 2,400th, and final, episode". Daily Mail. London: Associated Newspapers. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010. Cite error: The named reference "Mail Online" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Tibballs, Geoff (November 2003). "Introduction". The Bill: The Official History of Sun Hill. Carlton. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-84442-667-6. Cite error: The named reference "Tibballs" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c "The Bill prepares for live birthday". BBC News. BBC. 30 October 2003. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  4. ^ a b c "The Bill: Changing Times". Associated Television. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  5. ^ a b Allen, Nick (23 January 2009). "The Bill cut to one episode a week as ITV seeks to reduce costs". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  6. ^ Sweney, Mark (26 March 2010). "The Bill: ITV drops police drama after 27 years". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  7. ^ Lawson, Mark (26 March 2010). "The Bill killed off due to ratings slump". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  8. ^ "ITV axes 'The Bill'". The Independent. London: Independent News and Media. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  9. ^ "Television series 'The Bill' to conclude this year". Australia Times. Multimedia Australia. 28 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  10. ^ "The Bill". ITV plc. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  11. ^ "Nearly 5000 join Facebook Group to save The Bill". Associated Television. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  12. ^ Dyke, Peter (1 April 2010). "Fans battle to save The Bill". Daily Star. Northern and Shell. Retrieved 4 April 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b Sweney, Mark (26 March 2010). "The Bill: ITV drops police drama after 27 years". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 30 August 2010. Cite error: The named reference "Sweney" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  14. ^ George, Martin (1 September 2010). "Kingston's Cambridge Road estate says farewell to The Bill". Surrey Comet. Newsquest. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  15. ^ Scott, Elizabeth (31 August 2010). "TV Police Drama The Bill Airs Final Episode After 27 Years". Sky News. British Sky Broadcasting. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  16. ^ Plunkett, John (1 September 2010). "The Bill finale wins 4.4m viewers". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  17. ^ a b Lynch, T. (1992) The Bill, Boxtree: London
  18. ^ Bridge, Carl (2004). "Australia's Britain". Meanjin. 63 (3–4). University of Melbourne: 218.
  19. ^ Whitley, David. "British Television Filming Locations". Worldwide: travel.nine. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  20. ^ "Filming in Merton". United Kingdom: Merton Council. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  21. ^ "Extract from Hansard Assembly" (PDF). 20 May 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  22. ^ Fender, Leanne (21 November 2009). "Sad Goodbyes as Sutton Estate is Demolished for Revamp". United Kingdom: Surrey Comet. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  23. ^ Virtue, Rob (06.08.09). "The Bill Answers the Call of the Dark Side". London: wharf. Retrieved 27 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Broadway, Tooting (12.11.08). "The Bill Filming in Tooting". London. Retrieved 27 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Filmed in Greenwich" (PDF). Greenwich Council. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  26. ^ Truman, Peter (27 January 2009). "Filming in Croydon". Croydon: croydonguardian.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  27. ^ March, Ian (2009). Crime, Justice and the Media. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 138. ISBN 0-415-44490-X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Carlton Television, (2006) The Bill: The Official Case Book, Carlton Books: London
  29. ^ "The Bill Behind The Scenes". London: ITV. 02.04.09. Retrieved 26 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "How The Bill Is Filmed". London: ITV. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  31. ^ Tibballs, Geoff. "The Chandler Years". The Bill: The Official History of Sun Hill. ISBN 978-1-84442-667-6. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  32. ^ Silver, Rachel (1999). The Bill: The Inside Story: Behind the Scenes of Britain's Top Police Drama. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-00-257137-1.
  33. ^ a b c Sharp, Rob (01.09.08). "The Bill and The Police". London: The Independent. Retrieved 26 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ The Bill uniforms bought up by the Metropolitan Police, BBC London News
  35. ^ a b Rogers, Margaret (1 January 2005). "It's a fair cop, guv: Australian fans of The Bill". Journal of Australian Studies. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  36. ^ "BBC NEWS". BBC Online. 13 August 2004. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  37. ^ "Crime". Drama Channel. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  38. ^ "The Bill will be cutback to one episode per week". Edinburgh: STV. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
  39. ^ Knox, David (14 October 2010). "Farewell The Bill :TV Tonight". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  40. ^ "Hit UK Dramas The Bill and Doc Martin to screen on 7Two" (PDF). 7Two. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  41. ^ "Lov og uorden på TV2 Charlie". TV2. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  42. ^ Oatts, Joanne (9 October 2007). "RTE Secures Neighbours Deal". United Kingdom: Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  43. ^ "RTÉ Player: Catch up with your favourite TV programmes online". Rte.ie. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  44. ^ "The Bill – www.tv.nu". Kanal 9. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  45. ^ ""The Bill" Funny Ol' Business – Cops & Robbers (1984)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  46. ^ "The Bill original ending credits". London: TheDoctor001. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  47. ^ a b Gauntlett, David (2000). TV living: television, culture, and everyday life. ebrary, Inc. pp. 297, 298. ISBN 0-415-18486-X. Retrieved 28 October 2009. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ McCann, Mick (11 October 2012). "TV and radio blog + The Bill". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 February 2013. {{cite news}}: Text "Television & radio" ignored (help); Text "The Guardian" ignored (help)
  49. ^ "The Bill 1998–2001 Opening Credits". London: TheBillTitles. 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  50. ^ "Mark Russell". United Kingdom: IMDB. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  51. ^ Leitch, Lyn. "1998–2001 Closing Credits". London: lynleitch. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  52. ^ "The Bill 2001–2002 Opening Credits". London: TheBillTitles. 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  53. ^ "Miles Bould". United Kingdom: IMDB. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  54. ^ "Mike Westergaard". United Kingdom: IMDB. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  55. ^ "The Bills Closing Credits 2001–2002". London: lynleitch. 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  56. ^ "The Bill 2006 Opening and Closing Credits". London. 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  57. ^ "The Bill 2007–2009 Opening Credits". London: TheBillTitles. 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  58. ^ "The Bill 2007–2009 Closing Credits". London: TheBillTitles. 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  59. ^ "The Bill is slashed to one episode a week". London: dailymail.co.uk. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  60. ^ "The Bill Closing Credits 2009". London: TheBillTitles. 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  61. ^ "Who nicked The Bill's theme tune?". London: The Guardian. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  62. ^ "The Bill's theme tune to be axed". London: BBC News. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  63. ^ McMahon, Kate (02.07.09). "The Bill introduces incidental music". London: Broadcast Now. Retrieved 27 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ "The Bill Opening Credits 2009". London: BroadcastnowTV. 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  65. ^ Allen, Nick (23 January 2009). "The Bill cut to one episode a week as ITV seeks to reduce costs". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  66. ^ a b c Tate, Stephen (5 November 2003). "Production – TX – The Bill's live challenge". Broadcast. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  67. ^ a b "ITV plans live Bill for 50th". Broadcast. 27 July 2005. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  68. ^ "Soap Box: Volume 1". [1]. Retrieved 31 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  69. ^ "Program summary: The Bill Uncovered: Des And Reg". ABC TV Guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. October 2005. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  70. ^ a b Faouque, Farah (7 October 2005). "The Bill Uncovered: Kerry's Story". TV & Radio. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  71. ^ "The Bill Uncovered: On The Front Line". ABC TV Guide. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. December 2006. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  72. ^ a b Love, Ryan (19 August 2010). "ITV confirms 'Farewell The Bill' special". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  73. ^ "The Bill: Farewell The Bill". shock.com.au. Retrieved 31 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  74. ^ "The Bill Current Cast List". London: ITV. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  75. ^ a b "DS Don Beech (Character)". Internet movie Database. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  76. ^ "Character – Johnny Allen". EastEnders. BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  77. ^ "Billy Murray (I)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  78. ^ "Sgt. Matthew Boyden (Character)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  79. ^ "Tony O'Callaghan (I)". internet Movie Database. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  80. ^ "D.I. Burnside (Character)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  81. ^ "Christopher Ellison". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  82. ^ "DC Jim Carver (Character)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  83. ^ "Eric Richard (I)". Internet movie Database. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  84. ^ Hayward, Anthony (4 May 1998). "Obituary: Kevin Lloyd". Britain: The Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  85. ^ "Sacked Bill Star Reassures Fans". London: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 11 January 08. Retrieved 31 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  86. ^ "PC Tony Stamp to leave The Bill". London: BBC News. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  87. ^ Deans, Jason (6 November 2009). "The Bill collars 4m for stalwart's low key farewell". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  88. ^ "In pictures: The Bill's June Ackland". BBC Online. BBC. 9 March 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  89. ^ "Cops and Clobber". United Kingdom: The Guardian. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
  90. ^ "In pictures: The Bill's June Ackland". London: BBC News. 9 March 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  91. ^ "Alex Walkinshaw". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  92. ^ "Simon Rouse". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  93. ^ "My Yorkshire: Simon Rouse". York: Yorkshire Post. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  94. ^ Graham, Alison (5 November 2008). "The Bill's DCI Jack Meadows". London: Radio Times. Retrieved 17 November 2009.[dead link]
  95. ^ "DC Mickey Webb (Character)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  96. ^ Revoir, Paul (27 March 2010). "ITV axes The Bill after 27 years as ratings fall". Mail Online. London: Mail Online. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  97. ^ Unknown (23 January 2009). "The Bill to move to weekly slot". London: BBC News. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  98. ^ a b "Fire boosts The Bill's ratings". London: BBC News. 23 April 2002. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  99. ^ "Live Bill episode nears 10m mark". London: BBC News. 31 October 2003. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  100. ^ Holmwood, Leigh (24 July 2009). "ITV1's new-look The Bill drew 4.5m viewers last night but lost out to BBC1's New Tricks". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  101. ^ Cummins, Fiona (22 October 2009). "Black Thursday- 2m fans go as ITV switches Corrie & Bill". London: mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  102. ^ Lister, David (18.03.02). "The Bill arrests Decline". United Kingdom: The Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  103. ^ "Weekly Top 30 programmes". United Kingdom: BARB. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  104. ^ "The Bill moves to 9 pm". United Kingdom: The Mirror. 22 January 09. Retrieved 4 November 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  105. ^ "The Bill ratings". United Kingdom: BARB. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  106. ^ Jefferies, Mark (27 April 2009). "The Bill's Bafta win leaves ITV bosses red-faced after they axed half its episodes". London: Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  107. ^ unknown (20 March 2008). "The Bill wins soap award battle". London: BBC News. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  108. ^ Pilkington, Diana (29 September 2009). "EastEnders tops the Bill for the Inside Soap awards – TV & Radio, Entertainment – Independent.ie". Irish Independent. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  109. ^ "The Bill's Awards". UK: IMDB. 1984–present. Retrieved 30 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  110. ^ Swift, Lynn (2 March 2010). "Corrie misses out on RTS nomination". ATV. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  111. ^ "The Bill is Slashed To One Episode A Week". United Kingdom: Daily Mail. 23 January 09. Retrieved 9 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  112. ^ "The Bill". Broadcast Freelancer. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  113. ^ "Merseybeat". TV.com. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  114. ^ "Merseybeat". Online Video Guide. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  115. ^ Billen, Andrew (16 December 2002). New Statesman. London: New Statesman. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  116. ^ Shepherd, Robert (6 August 2008). "Holby Blue cops it as The Bill wins battle". London: Broadcast Now. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  117. ^ Conlan, Tara (6 August 2008). "BBC pulls the plug on Holby City spin off Holby Blue". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  118. ^ "The Bill criticised over MS plot". London: BBC News. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  119. ^ "George Gallaway sues The Bill over "corrupt" politician he claims is based on him". London: Daily Mail. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  120. ^ Kiss, Jemima (30 May 2008). "George Galloway in libel complaint over The Bill storyline". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  121. ^ Spencer, Ben (30 May 2008). "MP George Galloway to sue The Bill". Edinburgh: The Daily Record. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  122. ^ Revoir, Paul (2 July 2009). "The Bill's iconic theme tune scrapped after 25 years". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  123. ^ Armstrong, Stephen (2 November 2008). "The Bill meets SOKO Leipzig". The Times. London.
  124. ^ Revoir, Paul (27 March 2010). "They've killed the Bill! ITV accused of sabotage as police soap ends after 26 years". Daily Mail. (Associated Newspapers). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  125. ^ Writer Haldane Duncan EMAIL MORE ARTICLES. "Part 11: The Cologne Diaries | Haldane Duncan | TV Heroes". Transdiffusion.org. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
  126. ^ "Pick of the box; Burnside's back on the beat". Daily Record. (Trinity Mirror). 6 July 2000. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  127. ^ Purnell, Tony (26 April 2003). "The Bill special: Getting shot of Tony; Tony O'Callaghan is glad to have got the bullet after 12 years in The Bill because it means he can now spend more time with his baby daughter, Molly". Daily Mirror. (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  128. ^ Marlow, Wil (10 July 2005). "Diane living life at the Sharpe end ..." Western Mail. (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  129. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bill-Annual-Tony-Lynch/dp/0862276756/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319615893&sr=1-1
  130. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bill-Tony-Lynch/dp/185283157X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319615893&sr=1-2
  131. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bill-First-Ten-Years/dp/1852839112/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319615138&sr=1-1
  132. ^ Sliver, Rachel (1999). The Bill: The Inside Story. HarperCollins Entertainment. ISBN 0-00-257137-4. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  133. ^ Lock, K.M (2000). Burnside: The Secret Files. HarperCollins Entertainment. ISBN 0-00-710719-6. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  134. ^ Tibballs, Geoff (2003). The Bill The Complete Low-Down on 20 Years at Sun Hill. Carlton Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84442-985-7. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  135. ^ Tibballs, Geoff (2004). The Bill The Official History of Sunhill. Carlton Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84442-667-X. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  136. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bill-Sun-Hill-Police-Experience/dp/1844421732/ref=pd_sim_b_3
  137. ^ Cole, Graham (2009). On The Beat: My Story. Splendid Books Limited. ISBN 0-9558916-2-0. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  138. ^ Burke, John (1985). The Bill: No. 1. Thames Methuen. ISBN 0-7493-0277-1. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  139. ^ Burke, John. The Bill: No. 2. Thames Mandarin. ISBN 0-7493-0278-X. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  140. ^ Burke, John. The Bill: No. 3. Thames Mandarin. ISBN 0-7493-0002-7. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  141. ^ Burke, John. The Bill: No. 4. Thames Mandarin. ISBN 0-7493-0374-3. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  142. ^ Burke, John. The Bill: No. 5. Thames Mandarin. ISBN 0-7493-0842-7. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  143. ^ Burke, John. The Bill: No. 6. Thames Mandarin. ISBN 0-7493-1178-9. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  144. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Bill-John-Burke/dp/B001RM47Z4/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338962663&sr=1-8
  145. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tough-Love-Bill-Dave-Morris/dp/0140385169/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338962212&sr=1-1
  146. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Junior-The-Bill-Dave-Morris/dp/0140385150/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338962212&sr=1-2
  147. ^ "The Bill 'Overkill' by Mogan Pask single vinyl". Oxfam. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  148. ^ "Theme From The Bill". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  149. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The Bill Merchandise". thebillshop.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  150. ^ a b c "The Bill Merchandise 2". thebillshop.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2003. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  151. ^ a b "The Bill Merchandise 3". thebillshop.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2003. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  152. ^ a b c "The Bill Merchandise 4". thebillshop.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2005. Retrieved 31 January 2013.


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Bill&oldid=573322841"