EX-ENDER GILLIAN TO FIT THE BILL (16/3/06)

From The Mirror:

FORMER EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth is joining The Bill as a major new character to take over from Sgt June Ackland, it was revealed last night.

The actress, currently playing Jackie Webb in Footballers' Wives, will star in ITV1's top-rated drama in a £200,000 deal.

Her Sun Hill character, a caring mum provisionally called Sgt. Nicky Wright, replaces Ackland, played by Trudie Goodwin, who is quitting after 22 years on the show.

Gillian, 50, who signed the new deal yesterday, said: "I'm very happy and excited. I'm looking forward to the first time I can say, 'You're nicked!'"

A married mother of two, her character Nikki came to policing later in life and has risen through the ranks quickly. She’s good at her job and will have no problems making friends at the station due to an extremely likeable personality.

A show insider said: "We are thrilled Gillian is joining."

Taylforth, whose actress sister Kim was a real policewoman for 10 years, starts filming in July and will hit the screen in October.

She quit EastEnders in 1998 after 13 years as Kathy Mitchell and has since appeared in Messiah, Casualty and The House That Jack Built.