This article comes from Teletext...

The Bill star Rene Zagger has quashed rumours that he'll shortly be axed from the ITV1 cop show because of his character PC Nick Klein's drug-taking.

Rene, 29, says: "Everyone thinks I am leaving because of the storyline but I am actually negotiating a new year- long contract beginning in January.

"Klein's cocaine habit will be found out but he is given help by his bosses. He may get suspended and I may have to take a holiday but it is not the end for him."

Rene says he is constantly getting advice from fans because of Klein's cocaine addiction.

He says: "All the time people tell me: 'Stop doing the drugs for your own sake.'

"The storyline has been devised very closely with the Metropolitan Police. We wanted to show how the police deal with an officer with a drug problem.

Some people in drug squads are pushed to the limit working undercover."

Rene was close to tears when he had to film the death scene of PC Cass Rickman, the woman his character PC Klein is in love with in The Bill.

He says: "Suzanne Maddock who plays her is one of my best pals and she had to spend all day pretending to be dead in my arms.

"It was awful and those scenes were quite emotional and I had to reach for my hanky. It was terrible as I will really miss Suzanne."

Rene Zagger says fans will be shocked when the identity of the Sun Hill serial killer is finally revealed.

The powerful plot continues with the kidnapping and murder of PC Cass Rickman (Suzanne Maddock) just as Rene's character PC Klein has plucked up the courage to reveal his love.

Rene says: "The killer's identity is a major surprise. There are powerful episodes this month what with Cass's death and her funeral just before Christmas."

PC Klein's life in The Bill in the coming months will be "a rollercoaster ride", says Rene.

He told TV Plus: "He has to give up the drugs and I think he will get through that but there will be some knock backs from time to time.

"Klein is also out for revenge on DS Phil Hunter (Scott Maslen) who has been blackmailing him since he saw him taking drugs on a CCTV camera in a nightclub."

Zagger is well-equipped to play PC Klein - as in real-life, his brother Elliot is a cop in the City of London.

Rene said: "Elliot is part of an armed response unit but life hasn't been too exciting recently as one of his duties has been escorting Green Goddess fire engines.

"He doesn't really praise my portrayal. His favourite Bill person is Smithy (Alex Walkinshaw) who he thinks is a really convincing cop."

Is it just me, or is that last line blatant confirmation that Dale Smith is returning to the show?! - Ed