UNDER FIRE (12/2/05)

From The Sun TV magazine:

Marilyn in the blastTragedy strikes The Bill when a van smashes into Sun Hill sparking a terrifying blaze.

All hell breaks loose when a van full of petrol crashes into Sun Hill. Three officers (DC Ken Drummond, PC Andrea Dunbar & SRO Marilyn Chambers) will perish as flames turn the station into a blazing inferno.

Our behind the scenes snaps show the carnage as the fire takes hold. The shocking scenes will be shown next week when there will be three action packed episodes of The Bill with one shown on Wednesday, and two on Thursday.

TV Secrets hates to spoil a gripping storyline, but after talking to actress Vickie Gates, who's played Station Reception Officer Marilyn Chambers since 2003 - we can reveal she sadly doesn't live to tell the tale.

As she lies unconscious in hospital, her heartbroken boyfriend Reg slips an engagement ring onto her finger.

But moments later, Marilyn has a heart attack and dies.

"I filmed my last scenes in a hospital bed - I was so cosy I dozed off!" grins Vickie, 29.

Vickie admits she shed a few tears on her last day on set. "I was really fond of Marilyn." she says. "I've kept her glasses as a souvenir."

DC Drummond is tied up in a van packed full of petrol cans      The whole of the front of Sun Hill nick goes up in flames

> More on the (latest) station explosion