This article appeared in The Sun today (14/12/01)...

NOW TV AXEMAN CULLS COP CULLEN
By THOMAS WHITAKER

TELLY cop Alex Cullen is being dumped from The Bill. Actor Ged Simmons who plays the CID chief, returned from sick leave to be told his contract won't be renewed next spring.

He is the latest star to bite the dust since Paul Marques, dubbed the Axeman, was brought in. Simmons, 33 has been with the show for 14 months.

But a Bill spokesman said last night: "We have a producer keen to make changes. There could be more to come."

Boss Marquess has already dumped EIGHT other cast members.

They include Ben Roberts (Ch. Insp. Conway), Matt Crompton (PC Harker) and Tania Emery (DC Spears).

Also going are Ben Peyton (PC Hayward), Jane Wall (WPC Worrell), Garry Grant (DC Riley), Raji James (DS Singh) and Colin Tarrant (Insp. Monroe)

Perhaps after the superb 6-part episode featuring DI Liz Rawton, the producers realised that a DI with charisma was a good idea! There hasn't been any official confirmation of this departure though.        - Ed