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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Entertainment
Abbie Meehan

The Bill: The Scottish actors who started careers in ITV show as it returns after 12 years

ITV has reported today that popular programme The Bill may be returning to our television screens after a 12-year wait - and could see the return of some of the original cast.

But who can forget PC Tony Stamp, Sergeant June Ackland and DC Jim Carver? It was an extremely popular show, spanning over 26 series and 2,425 episodes in total.

According to reports from The Sun, there are rumours that original stars Graham Cole, Trudie Goodwin and Mark Wingett are in talks to return to Sun Hill.

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According to sources, writer Simon Sansome is leading the project and is in "advanced talks" with channels interested in broadcasting the series.

EastEnders and Holby City creator Tony McHale could also be getting involved in the return of the show.

Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “The project started picking up pace last year after the cast got together to mark ten years since the show last aired.

“Simon started investigating the rights and managed to acquire them. Three of the best known stars are in talks and he’s hopeful he can get them on board. Tony has seen the script and they hope they can get him signed up too."

But does anybody remember Doctor Who and Professor X being on The Bill? That's right, some Scottish stars got their launchpad from a few episodes of the ITV drama.

Here are just a few of the Scottish stars who got a career jump by appearing in The Bill:

David Tennant

The Bathgate actor and the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant appeared in a 1995 episode of The Bill called Deadline where he played kidnapper Steven Clemens.

One of the biggest names to enjoy a short appearance on the show, the former Doctor Who star has enjoyed a stellar TV and film career ever since that scary stint.

James McAvoy

Yes, that's right, Professor X was on The Bill! Hollywood star James, 41, was only a teenager when he played Gavin Donald in a 1997 episode about a hit-and-run.

Arguably his biggest performance since the X-Men movies, James was a stand-out actor for his performance in 2019 film Split, terrifying people globally with his acting abilities.

Lorraine Kelly

Aye, even our own Lorraine Kelly has been on The Bill, despite acting never being in her plans at the beginning of her career.

The daytime TV host, 61, starred as herself in a 2003 episode called What’s the Scoop?

Lorraine acted out her real-life job as she interviewed cop Cathy Bradford.

This wasn’t the presenter’s first surprise cameo as she’s also featured in the likes of One Foot in the Grave, Coronation Street and Scot Squad.

Robert Carlyle

Trainspotting's very own Begbie has even appeared on the ITV show, in a 1991 episode where he played Tom Ward.

It was only his fourth telly role but he soon made up for lost time and landed the iconic part of Begbie a few years later.

The 60-year-old, from Glasgow, played the Prime Minister in Sky drama Cobra last year.

Claire Goose

Edinburgh-born Claire, 46, first appeared on the show as Stacey Abbot in 1995 before becoming Insp. Rachel Weston in 2008 for 41 episodes.

The actress has also been involved in other hit dramas such as Waking the Dead, Unforgotten and The Coroner.

She most recently featured in an episode of Murdoch Mysteries.

Siobhan Redmond

Siobhan, 61, appeared in 13 episodes of The Bill in 2007 as CSE Lorna Hart.

But she actually made her debut on the show as Sylvia Hannah for a small cameo in 1992.

The actress, from Tollcross, Glasgow, has also starred in other dramas like Holby City and Taggart.

Natalie J Robb

Emmerdale's very own Moira also had a longer stint in The Bill, starring in 56 episodes as PC Andrea Dunbar in 2006.

She has also appeared in Eastenders, Silent Witness, Take The High Road and Holby City.

So, who is excited for The Bill to return to ITV? We know we definitely are!

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