Axe falls on ITV police drama trio

THREE Bill regulars got the bullet yesterday in a cull on ITV1's top cop show.

The shock news about Mark, 43, comes days after six million watched plain-clothes officer Carver wed Sgt June Ackland (Trudie Goodwin, 52).

Last night, a show insider said Mark would NOT be killed off, but added: "He'll be filming his final scenes at the end of the year but the door is open for any future return."

Russell joined The Bill after a three-and-a-half year stint on EastEnders and Brian only joined the show last October but agreed to leave.

We'd like to know your views on Mark Wingett's axing. Was the decision just? Had Jim's character run out of steam, or is he an institution who deserves to be in the show forever? Email us here and share your thoughts with others on this page...

Why Oh Why do you have to take all the best characters from this show? I still watch only because I hope one day we stop hearing about the sex lives of the characters and go back to the good old days.

I think axing Jim is disgusting. Jim is the life of The Bill along with June and axing him is like axing The Bill altogether.

Keep Jim Carver on the Bill, it is because of characters like Jim that keep me watching. I'm sick of actors I enjoy and make major contributions to the show being axed. After having watched the Bill for 15 years, I want to keep enjoying in it. Too much change in the current line up is wearing thin.

They can not axe Jim Carver, he is a wonderful member of the cast who is still relevant to future story lines. As some one who has watched The Bill since the early days it is nice that there is a mix of old and new cast to keep continuity. His character is still relevant to the station. PLEASE KEEP HIM IN THE SHOW!!!!!!!

Woodentop - Jimmy Carver's first day as a PC. Why on earth would you want to get rid of the character who's life the first episode was based around. Without him, there would never of been "The Bill!" You give us what we want after all these years, Jim and June's wedding, then you drop him! IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE?!?!? Geoff McQueen is probably turning in his grave at the moment! Here in Australia, he is a popular character still and to get rid of him would most certainly kill the show. PM, if you only ever listen to the fans once, then listen now...
DON'T GET RID OF PC/DC JIM CARVER (MARK WINGETT)!

I think That Mark's character (Jim Carver) is good and I wouldn't like to see him go!!!! He's been there since he was really young and it would be very sad to say goodbye who has been committed to the show for years!!! Plus he has just married June Ackland it would be sad to see her finally happy and then shattered by Jim leaving!!! I really hope he gets to stay he is a champ. On the other hand i also like Ken Drummond he quite a funny guy it would be sad to lose him as well but with Rob Thatcher I'm sure some people out there like him but I don't see much of him so if he leaves or not I don't really care!!!! but please don't let Jim Carver go!!!!

I can't believe they're getting rid of Mark Wingett - one of the truly great characters in Sun Hill. Jim Carver should be getting promoted, not being written out - he's been around long enough! The Bill does NOT need to be a soap. ITV have enough already - Emmerdale, Coronation Street? Paul Marquess has systematically destroyed what used to be the best TV police drama on TV anywhere. What is the need to know who's sleeping with who in Sun Hill? It's well known that infidelity, over indulgence in sex and similar are considered badges of honor in the police force anyway, so why not leave it out and let Sun Hill's officers get back to doing what our boys in blue are supposed to do - nicking villains!!!

The only weakness The Bill has is the lack of an established cast, so to remove a long-serving character unnecessarily is a mistake. Viewers have waited twenty-one years for June and Jim's wedding; now within months that relationship will be over in a cheap exit storyline for Carver. We've had the "Sun Hill marriage break-up" storyline already with the Ashtons, so as a viewer I don't want to watch it all again. If the actor is happy to do so, Jim should stay at Sun Hill until he retires - this would be welcome realism in an increasingly sensationalist show.

I think the axing of Jim Carver is one of the worst things the producers of The Bill have ever done. If Jim leaves, all the hard work Geoff McQueen did in creating the show would be removed. Since Paul Marques took over in 2002, the show has become a soap. ITS MEANT TO BE A POLICE DRAMA, NOT A SOAP. Don't axe Jim, as it will be the biggest mistake in The Bill's history, Take the show back to it's roots, make it more about Police work and less about personal lives, like the good old days of the show.

This terrible news I still can't believe it, Jim Carver is a fantastic character so WHY axe one of the best characters in the show? Jim and June are my favourite characters in The Bill so when I read about the axing of Jim Carver I was gutted.

With Jim in the programme there has always been a degree of continuity through the years. More than that his character has always been presented as a character who tries to act for the good and solve crimes treating people fairly. The first episode of The Bill was Jim joining The Bill, I always hoped that the last one would be his retirement in another 20 years. Well Jim is leaving soon, but I think it won't be too long until The Bill leaves our screens too - a good tv programme has been tarnished enough without Mark Wingett leaving.

As a bill fan for many years I CANT BELIEVE and am SADDENED that the bill is axing Mark and Russell. Jim Carver is one of the best characters in the show and Ken Drummond brings much needed comedy, and I fear that the axing of these two popular characters will ruin the show. I think that DC Thatcher's character has become stale a little, so his axing wouldn't bother me, but it is very sad that Jim Carver and Ken Drummond will be leaving, to be replaced no doubt by younger cast members, who wouldn't do as good a job. Very Sad.

I think that Mark’s character (Jim) has got slightly boring. There is only so much one can do with a character. The character has had 21 fantastic years with the show and has tackled some great storylines. If he wants to leave on a high he’s gonna have to leave now. Jim will be remembered for tackling alcohol problems and being a great copper. He’s been an asset to the show but I think maybe it’s time for him to leave.

Mark Wingett should no way have been axed. He should be in The Bill until the last episode and if that is not possible at least until he wishes to leave. But I understand how Paul Marquess is trying to keep the show fresh.

I am horrified at the axing of Mark Wingett. It is an absolute outrage and can be compared to the axing of Willaim Roach in Coronation Street if that was to ever happen. Mark Wingett has given the show 21 years of his life and has also been instrumental along with Trudie Goodwin in making the show the success that it is today.

The pairing of Jim and June is EXACTLY what viewers wanted. Now they are married the 'love' side of the show can be there but they have more to give to the 'crime' and good old fashioned 'cops and robbers' side of the police show. A fantastic actor and I think the shows producers should seriously consider their actions.

I can't see why they are taking away such a great character such as Ken, Jim and Rob are getting rather dull characters. Although Ken, he bought the much needed humour to the show and without him it won't be the same. I hope they revert the decision or plan to make him return.

I also am very sad that Jim Carver has been axed. Russell too,however the other fellow I am not too fond of. The show was great with the old cast and I still watch every episode of the 'old' show every afternoon.So much better than the new cast. No leave Jim there please.

Good day to you. I just wanted to mention how much this decision really made me sit up and take notice. This news saddens me greatly - Mark Wingett and DC Carver have been mainstays of "The Bill" through thick and thin, and Jim Carver has always been my favourite character. But on top of all that, Jim Carver represents to me the spirit of "The Bill" and particularly of its creator, Geoff McQueen. Carver, the central character in the original Pilot episode, has always been to me a mark of the shows original creator, and if it's true that he's been forced out (instead of leaving of his own accord) then as a "The Bill" fan of many years I feel that the last real sense of the original creator has finally been removed. Again, this is very sad news and I wish Mister Wingett all the best for the future.

I think That Mark's charatcer (Jim Carver) is good and I wouldnt like to see him go!!!! He's been there since he was really young and it would be very sad to say goodbye who has been committed to the show for years!!! Plus he has just married June Ackland it would be sad to see her finally happy and then shattered by Jim leaving!!! i really hope he gets to stay he is a champ. On the other hand i also like Ken Drummond he quite a funny guy it would be sad to lose him aswell but with Rob Thatcher im sure some people out there like him but i dont see much of him so if he leaves or not im dont really care!!!! but please dopnt let Jim Carver go!!!!

Could someone please explain to me why on earth the bill have axed the most funniest character they have had for years! Watching Ken Drummond is a breath of fresh air,he is funny and witty. He brings much needed humour in the episodes with his eating habits and his one off lines. I for one am very upset to see Ken go. He and Rob are a brilliant duo together. Come on the Bill, don't let them go!!

Absolutely gutted - who will they axe next? June? Reg? It's a sad fact that Gary Best is the fifth longest-serving character currently in The Bill...

Mark Wingett should not be axed after giving 21 years to The Bill. He deserves more courtesy and respect than to be dismissed on the whim of the producers who will probably replace him with young inexperienced actors and more soap oriented storylines. If it had been Mark's own decision there would not be so many upset fans.

I think that the axing of Mark Wingett is an absolute disgrace. It shows that they have lack of respect for an actor who has dedicated the majority of his acting career to this show. Mark has shown commitment and loyalty to The Bill for 21 years and has worked as part of a team enabling the show to bring in the number of viewers that it gets. Mark and Trudie (Jim and June) are The Bill originals, take that away and I think you will be left with many unhappy viewers, who will switch off.

When I heard this news I was more than shocked. I'm 19 and Australian and have been a fan of the Bill for many years before it became an over-glorified soap. All I can say is when Jim Leaves (or if not sooner) I will switch off forever.

I can't believe they are going to axe Jim. Along with Tony he is one of my favourites. Here in Australia we are many episodes behind the UK but I am not looking forward to no more Jim. The Bill is my favourite show and I never miss it.

Doesn't it seem that 'The Bill' are axing every character who doesn't have enough left to show in their personal lives? Not only is the show becoming more like a soap, taking away good police officers such as Ken and Jim is pushing it back to a place where police work comes second to their personal lives.

Totally agree with most of the comments on this page. DC Rob Thatcher has become a bit stale and may bow out after his stories with the Radfords and setting up the Super. But Ken Drummond was like a breath of fresh air and storylines like his son killing the hooker showed what a good actor he is. As for Mark Wingett, granted that he hasn't has much to do recently but who's fault is that? Certainly not Mark's. And as an actor he has dedicated most of his adult acting life to this show and deserves better than this. At the very least give him one hell of a storyline to go out on.

There is now an online petition to sign for people who are against Mark's axing from The Bill. Click here to sign it.