The Bill is a British police procedural television series that was first broadcast on ITV in October 1984 and ran until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama called Woodentop, which was broadcast in August 1983.

Woodentop starred Mark Wingett as PC Jim Carver and Trudie Goodwin as WPC June Ackland, who were attached to the fictional Sun Hill police station.

There have been numerous actors who either appeared in The Bill as regulars, or whose careers The Bill has made a significant impact on. The regular cast included Barbara Thorn, Christopher Ellison, Tony O’Callaghan, Graham Cole, Eric Richard, Simon Rouse, Jeff Stewart and Chris Simmons.

The constant need for minor characters, who normally appeared in only a single episode, inevitably led to numerous high profile actors and actresses having guest roles. These have included Brian Murphy, Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Paul O’Grady, Sean Bean, Roger Daltrey, Ray Winstone, and Misty Moon’s own Linda Regan, to name a few.

Ashley Gunstock, who played PC Robin Frank between 1984 – 1989 will be appearing. After leaving The Bill, Ashley became a member of the Green Party and has been an environmental activist since 1989.

PC Robin Frank was a steady reliable type known for his commitment and integrity. The character was a trained area car driver and his colleagues at Sun Hill knew that he always could be depended on. He suffered the trauma of being shot by a robber who had taken a woman hostage in a block of flats in 1985. He left Sun Hill in 1989.

Graham Cole OBE played PC Tony Stamp in The Bill from 1984 to 2009 for 25 years. Graham has appeared in numerous episodes of Doctor Who playing a Marshman, a Cyberman and Melkur during the 1980s. He also made regular appearances on Noel’s House Party.

Graham also narrated the police video “Police Stop”. Recently he has been treading the boards and touring the country in different productions. At The Bill Reunion Graham will be reunited with his beloved Sierra One.

Peter Løvstrøm has been acting since 1978 in theatre, TV, Film and radio and commercials. His first job for the Oxford Playhouse Company was called Class Enemy, and stared Mark Wingett (PC Jim Carver in The Bill), who had just finished filming Quadrophenia.

Pete has appeared in The Bill five or six times as different characters. His first appearance was in one of the very early episodes in series 1 called A Friend In Need (episode 3 in 1984) playing Kevin Lee who was part of a gang doing a bomb hoax scam. Then in 1989 in Fort Apache Sun Hill he played Kevin Sidney, a con man who was part of a gang selling rare birds eggs to rich Arabs (series 5 episode 42). In series 8 episode 63 in Last Night of Freedom (1992) he played Micky Johnson who was on his stag night when a fatal stabbing occurred. In 1995 series 11 episode 19 he played Micky Morris in Going Home. In 1997 series 13 episode 123 A Bad Lot he played Roy Sherlock in a story about domestic abuse.

Derek Lyons played PC Craig Lovell in The Bill between 1984 and 1991. Derek was born in London and from an early age was fascinated with film and TV. He would regularly entertain friends and family with his impersonations of famous actors of the day. He attended a local theatre school later in his teens. Derek was fortunate enough to meet the stage and screen actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne, who was a close neighbour and friend, and encouraged him to think about working within the acting profession and generously agreed to sponsor his application to join British Actor’s Equity.

Derek worked on the first Star Wars film, A New Hope in 1976 – this was in fact his first job within the film business. He was chosen to appear as a Medal Bearer and Massassi Guard at the end of the film. From this start, Derek has been able to cultivate his career in film, winning parts in many major films made in England, including Flash Gordon (1980), Krull (1983), The Living Daylights (1987), Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (1989) plus many others. He has rubbed shoulders with many great actors, including Robert Mitchum, Julie Andrews, Jack Nicholson, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Laurence Olivier, John Rhys-Davies and most recently Alec Baldwin. Derek was a close friend of the late Marvin Gaye, whilst the singer was recording his last album for Motown, In Our Lifetime, in London.

David Keyes appeared in The Bill between 1985 – 2005 played the following characters over 12 episodes: John Finnegan / Terry Ellis / Dennis Frost / Kevin Lee / Colin Briggs / Burglar / Chris Wilikins / Brian / Billy / Clements – but never a copper!! David has also appeared in London’s Burning (1989-1991), One Foot In The Grave (1990) and Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006).

Barbara Thorn, AKA Inspector Christine Fraserburgh, who appeared in 64 episodes, has confirmed her appearance at this special reunion. Barbara’s other credits include Judge John Deed and Trial and Retribution. Unfortunately, Barbara Thorn has cancelled her appearance at The Bill Reunion, due to personal commitments.

Along with the guests on stage, there will also be guests sitting in the audience who have appeared in The Bill over the years. They will include Brian Murphy, David Barry, Simon Fisher-Becker, Colin Spaull and Peter Roy.

Misty Moon’s MC Linda Regan will chair the Q&A and there will be a paid signing afterwards.

Doors open at 19.00, for a 20.00 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Tickets in advance £14 (£13 concessions). On the door £15 (£14 concessions).
Advance tickets may be purchased from Billetto, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.