BELLINGHAM JOINS BILL (27/5/04)

A round-up of the latest news stories...

Oxo mum Lynda Bellingham turns up in The Bill in the role she has always wanted - a real baddie.

The 55-year-old actress sheds her Miss Goodie Two Shoes image to take on the part of vice queen Irene Radford.

Irene causes havoc on the Sun Hill manor when she becomes embroiled in a vicious gang war when a rival mob tries to muscle in on her empire.

Irene is the head of one of London's big crime families, running brothels and protection rackets and she isn't about to allow newcomers a slice of the action without a fight.

Lynda played the Oxo mum in a series of adverts stretching over almost two decades

She joins The Bill at the end of next month and admits she's relishing playing the part of an evil character.

SUN HILL GENERAL

According to the latest issue of Inside Soap, ITV are planning a fourth spin off from TB - this time a daytime soap called Sun Hill General. It will be set around the nearest hospital to Sun Hill station.

TV executives think the series will fair well as they have a guaranteed audience from The Bill. It will commence with a trial run and then, if successful, move on into a regular series.

The spin-off follows Burnside (2000), Beech on the Run (2001) and Murder Investigation Team (2003). A second series of MIT is also due soon.