Jeff Stewart, who appeared on The Bill as PC Reg Hollis, helped real-life police officers tackle a shoplifter as he attempted to escape on a bicycle in Southampton on Wednesday, 23 July.
The actor, who played the police officer for 24 years on the ITV series, helped by sitting on the suspect’s legs, after he fell from the bike, while officers handcuffed him.
Mohamed Diallo, 29, of Anglesea Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to five offences of theft at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
He was bailed to be sentenced on August 29.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “In policing, you should always expect the unexpected, but this really wasn’t on The Bill for this week."
