ROUND-UP OF NEWS (9/8/03)

I thought it was about time to do a round-up of all the latest rumours on The Bill, seeing as so many are circulating about at the moment...

Departing characters

PC Des Taviner - will have his part in the Sun Hill fire uncovered and will consequently be sent down for life. Former-DI Sally Johnson (Jaye Griffiths) returns to the station as a private investigator to investigate the incident.
DC Danny Glaze - his role in framing Jeff Simpson (the right-wing extremist) is uncovered, but rather than face up to the consequences of his actions, Glaze leaves the Force
DC Mickey Webb - leaves Sun Hill after being raped. Chris Simmons describes his last scenes as 'particularly harrowing'
FDO Roberta Cryer - Moya Brady has decided to leave the show. Rumours are that she is killed in a hit-and-run accident.

There are also rumours that PC Cathy Bradford's (Connie Hyde) downfall begins soon - about bloomin' time!

New characters

Following in the footsteps of Bernie Nolan (Sgt. Murphy), Vickie Gates - who plays mouthy barmaid Leanne Powell in Brookside - is swapping the Channel 4 soap for life on duty at The Bill. The actress can be seen in the ITV1 drama in the Autumn as new receptionist Marilyn Chambers.

Four other new cast members joining include:

DC Terry Perkins played by Bruce Byron
DC Rob Thatcher played by Brian Bovell
PC Yvonne Hemmingway played by Michelle Austin
CAD officer Dean McVerry played by Luke Hamill - his character will be wheelchair-bound and confined to the CAD room

Other stuff 

- Mark Wingett (PC Jim Carver) was recently spotted filming in uniform - signaling a possible exit from CSU
- René Zagger (PC Nick Klein) has been filming for a couple of months, so his character will be back on screens soon. He makes his return by making a daring rescue in a burning building
- PC Polly Page's role in Dr. Owen Preston's suicide is revealed and she is sent down for life! (no official confirmation on this one - it seems rather inplausible!)
- Click here for details on a live episode of The Bill