News Round-Up

Ali Bastian has quit The Bill to put all her energy into trying to win Strictly Come Dancing.

Ali, 26, filmed her final scenes a couple of weeks ago but remains on screen until then end of the year. The former Hollyoaks star had played PC Sally Armstrong for two years. She commented: "I absolutely loved my time on The Bill but I've always been a massive fan of Strictly."

Gary Lucy has also decided to leave the show.

Gary plans to quit his role as Detective Constable Will Fletcher after four years to pursue other interests. He will appear in the show until December.

A spokesperson for The Bill said: "Gary Lucy has decided not to renew his contract when it came up for renewal. After four years, he is taking a break from The Bill to explore other projects."

In a bid to raise his profile, Gary, who previously appeared in Hollyoaks and Footballers' Wives, is rumoured to be considering competing in the next series of Dancing on Ice, which would mean he would start training this winter.

While it is not yet known how Gary's character will be written out of The Bill, show bosses are keen to keep the door open. The spokesperson said: "There is always an opportunity for him to return."

As previously announced, The Bill's longest-serving cast member Graham Cole will also leave at the beginning of November.

In June, bosses confirmed that the 57-year-old's character PC Tony Stamp was being dropped after nearly 22 years. Series producer Tim Key later insisted that the veteran is simply being "rested". Tony accepts

News of the star's departure came following confirmation of the ITV1 programme's revamp as a post-watershed drama airing just once a week. Reflecting on his exit, Cole told The Mirror: "As the longest-serving actor, I was one of the biggest earners and it's no secret that costs had to be cut. But I've spent nearly half my life on that show. What hurts the most is being axed after all that time so quickly. They've just thrown it all away - bye, you're out the door. It beggars belief. I'll walk around and feel fine, then someone will give me a smile or a nod and I'll get this huge wave of emotion come over me."

He continued: "I'm no different to all the hundreds of thousands of workers who have lost their jobs recently. I want to keep the belief that something else will come along. But the phone hasn't rung."

Cole also claimed that The Bill is less appealing to its loyal fanbase following its reinvention. He commented: "Everyone from little kids to old grannies loved The Bill, but ITV seem obsessed with 16-32-year-old males. It makes no sense - those people don't even watch TV! The essence is lost. It's not The Bill anymore."

In other news, DC Jo Masters - who has been in the show for nearly 5 years - will be promoted in the new year.

It's nice to see the powers that be realised that it was a bit of stretch only having one Sergeant to look after the entire Relief!

Sloane, Tointon, David-Lloyd for 'The Bill'

Former Hollyoaks actor Barry Sloane, ex-EastEnders actress Kara Tointon and Torchwood star Gareth David-Lloyd are to make guest appearances in an episode of The Bill, Digital Spy has reported.

Sloane - who played unhinged Niall Rafferty until November last year - takes on the role of Josh Hunt. Tointon - Walford's Dawn Swann - is to portray his screen fiancée Ami Ryan. Meanwhile, David-Lloyd, who starred as the now-dead Ianto Jones in the Doctor Who spinoff, will appear as Jeremy Preston.

Details of the episode have yet to emerge, but it is said to revolve around a lovers' tiff.

Speaking of his appearance, Sloane said: "It's a box that has to be ticked on every actor's CV, especially if you've done soap! I'm glad that I've got that one covered! Since The Bill changed its format, I really wanted a part and am so happy to have been cast."

He added: "Kara and Gareth have been brilliant and we've had really good fun filming - we've had such a laugh."

The episode, which began filming last week, is due to wrap next week and will air towards the end of January.

MYSTERIOUS Swedish indie-pop band MIIKE SNOW have written hits for KYLIE MINOGUE and BRITNEY SPEARS.

But for me, most impressive is casting JEFF STEWART - ex-star of The Bill - in the video for their upcoming single Black & Blue.

Jeff is pictured in the promo with the big barnet and beard he has grown since losing his job as PC Reg Hollis two years ago.