Firstly - news of a new spin-off from The Bill. This article by Jonathan Donald was found on the internet...

The Bill is spawning a sister show, Think Murder, about a female murder investigation team.

The drama will focus on the work of a female murder investigation team.

Former EastEnder Lindsay Coulson (who played Carol Jackson) will play one of the detective constables.

The first episode will feature Sun Hill regulars, but then follow the work of the female cops.

"It's kicked off from the The Bill, but it's quite dark and frantic," executive producer Paul Marquess tells Broadcast.

"This is very much an attempt to set up a new franchise."

Think Murder will begin filming in January. A series of eight hour-long episodes is planned for ITV - due for screening in April.

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Cast Departures

The latest issue of TV Quick has announced that Paul Usher (PC Des Taviner) is leaving The Bill. Apparently the actor wants to spend more time with his son, and he feels the character of Taviner has run its course. More details as we get them!

A few sketchy details have been revealed concerning Sergeant Matthew Boyden 's (Tony O'Callaghan) departure from the show. The actor revealed that he is shot dead (*sigh* yet another character dies in the Sun Hill slaughterhouse - Ed) but didn't say who by. This ties in with the story circulating about an armed siege in Sun Hill. O'Callaghan has filmed his last scenes, so his final episode should be on our screens in a few months.

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And news of a new 'shocking storyline' for The Bill has been announced...

BOSSES of ITV cop saga The Bill are preparing the show's most traumatic storyline ever.

A 30-episode run will tell of Sun Hill Police Station's fight against a network of child abusing paedophiles.

Executives hope that the traumatic tale will alert viewers to the very real problems of the sexual predators and give parents some real tips on helping kids avoid real-life sex monsters.

Last night an insider said: "We may end up losing viewers because of it's stark content, but the story must be told."

The plotline, focused on the activities of a paedophile gang, will kick off in the new year.