ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES (18/2/04)

As what seems to have become a 3-month occurrence in The Bill, there is another cast exodus from the show. Here are the details we have so far on various arrivals/departures... 

ARRIVALS

Peter O'Brien in his Shane Ramsey days DC Peter Cavanaugh (Peter O'Brien) - Cavanaugh's debut will coincide with the return of bent cop Don Beech (Billy Murray) in the Spring. He is part of an investigation into Beech, but later transfers to Sun Hill permanently. Australian actor O'Brien is a familiar face to UK viewers. As well as Neighbours, where he played the part of Shane Ramsey, his credits include Queer As Folk, Cardiac Arrest and The Flying Doctors.

Natalie Robb will play new PC Andrea Dunbar PC Andrea Dunbar (Natalie Robb) - arrives in episode # 198 to join the Relief. She apparently soon shows her true colours when she reduces Polly Page to tears. Natalie Robb can be currently seen as Dr. Jude Carlyle in the BBC soap Doctors. Her full profile will be uploaded to the site shortly.

DEPARTURES

DC Sharpe transfers to MIT PC Nick Klein - René Zagger announced he was leaving the show back in October. As of yet, there are no details on the nature of his departure - it won't be happening for at least a month though as Klein does not feature in any storylines in upcoming weeks.

DC Eva Sharpe - transfers to MIT permanently. Eva gets fed up with DI Manson's treatment of her, so when she is head-hunted by the Murder Investigation Team, she chooses to leave Sun Hill. Actress Diane Parish will be seen in the upcoming second series of MIT.

PC Tait PC Polly Page - David Easter (from Family Affairs) has begun filming a six-episode run as a 'charming and persuasive journalist' called Frank, set to hit our screens in March. David's character becomes involved with Polly Page - Frank comes to her rescue and the pair will be seen to strike up a friendship. But Polly's conviction and subsequent acquittal for the murder of Dr. Owen Preston creates a media frenzy, and she's understandably suspicious when she learns what Frank does for a living. Whether Polly is correct to have doubts about the charming new man in her life remains to be seen. Polly Page is freed on appeal - and returns to Sun Hill as a civilian CAD operator next week - BUT Lisa Geoghan who plays her is leaving the show in May.

PC Cameron Tait - actor Daniel MacPherson has decided to leave the show to pursue other acting opportunities. He has been promised a 'gripping departure' by bosses and will leave The Bill in May.

RETURNING

DC Webb returns to give evidence in the trial against Rachel Heath DC Mickey Webb - returns as a guest in a couple of weeks to give evidence in the trial of Rachel Heath (DCI Meadows' ex-girlfriend). Mickey, as revealed in the live episode, now works in MIT. Apparently, Rachel is pregnant, leading to a typical soapy 'who's the father?' storyline.

Don Beech - is set to break out of prison and become a grass. Billy Murray starts filming this month for Beech's return in April. An insider revealed: "There'll be some cracking storylines coming up. The viewers loved DS Beech. He was a bad apple who took too many backhanders, but one who got results. It's not long before his ex-colleagues realise he can help them - even though he's on the run."