IT'S THRILL BILL (14/3/04)

From The News of the World.

Bent cop Don Beech comes back to haunt Sun Hill after three years out of The Bill.

The dodgy detective - played by Billy Murray - reappears as a prisoner serving 30 years for killing DS John Boulton.

When cons beat him up he turns supergrass after cutting a deal with DI Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) to get out.

Then he settles old scores in six thrilling episodes of the ITV1drama next month.

Billy, 57, said "Beech is as cut-throat as ever."

 "I was delighted to come back one last time - I don't want to give the plot away but I can't return unless I play another character. Everyone I meet on the street says they love Beech. He's a nasty piece of work but a charmer."

"Beech was always a great crowd puller and with these stunning storylines I'm very keen to see if the fans like me as much as they always did. When Beech left Sun Hill there was hell to pay and DCI Jack Meadows had a lot of explaining to do. I think it'll be great to have a scene where Jack gets me by the throat and says, 'you ruined my life'."

DS Beech was DI Neil Manson's Sergeant when he was a probationer and in his first week Beech asked him to 'lose' some vital evidence. Manson refused but never grassed Beech up. Will this be the crack in his armour Beech can exploit? Frustrated in his pursuit to catch a skilled gang of criminals, Manson gets a call from Beech offering information. Neil can't resist the offer....

Beech's screen lover Maggie - played by Page Three legend Linda Lusardi, 45 - is also making a comeback.