NEW STATION RECEPTIONIST (5/3/05)

From The Sun's 'TV Secrets':

With Sun Hill station still in shock over the tragic explosion that killed three of their fellow officers, the team need something to smile about. And party-loving copper Julian Tavell is just the answer.

TV Secrets can exclusively reveal that Julian, nicknamed 'JT', joins The Bill as Sun Hill's new receptionist on 23 March. Played by newcomer Nick Patrick (left), he will replace Marilyn (Vickie Gates), who died in the inferno.

But not everyone is pleased to see him. Poor Reg Hollis (Jeff Stewart) is still grieving over the loss of his beloved Marilyn. For him, the site of JT at the front desk is too hard to bear.

Nevertheless, JT is determined to inject a ray of sunshine into life at the station. "JT is an organiser and the life and soul of any party," says Nick, who has appeared in Prime Suspect and Kavanagh QC. "He'll take every opportunity to get stuck in and rally the troops for a few nights out. People warm to him and tell him their deepest secrets, which he's usually very good at keeping - within reason, of course! Nothing should stand in the way of genuinely fine gossip."