BOYS IN PINK (21/12/04)

From the fount of all Bill-related knowledge, The Sun:

HERE are The Bill’s gay boys in blue — clad in PINK as they tie the knot at their “wedding”.

But all does not run smoothly on the big day.

PC Lance Powell — played by Ofo Uhiara — battles to get there on time after being held hostage.

A spokeswoman for the ITV show said: “Lance is kidnapped by his Christian friends who believe gay marriage is wrong.”

He is rescued by Sun Hill colleagues and faces a dash by speedboat across the Thames to get hitched to Sgt Mark Rollins, alias actor Stefan Booth.

The ceremony eventually happens at London’s City Hall — and sees PC Powell and Sgt Rollins sign a “partnership” register.

The spokeswoman added: “We hope viewers will agree we’ve carefully tackled the issue of a gay wedding in the force.”

The politically-correct storyline has been backed by gay rights groups and by London’s mayor Ken Livingstone.

Nearly 900 real-life mainly same-sex couples have registered with the scheme since it was set up by the mayor in 2001.