ITV The Bill cast now: Tragic deaths, suicide attempt and devastating illnesses (2025)

The Bill was a beloved ITV show which aired for 27 years from 1984 until it was axed in 2010 - here we take a look at what the stars of the show are up to now and remember the ones who are no longer with us.

ITV's iconic police drama, The Bill, patrolled British TV for over two decades, taking viewers on a trip through the dark and demanding world of law enforcement, all from the comfort of their own homes. Set in the fictional Sun Hill Police Station, the show ran from 1984 until 2010, introducing audiences to an ever-changing lineup of characters who became as familiar as family.

It's hard to think it's almost been 15 years since The Bill's last episode aired on our screens. The final two episodes, crafted by writer David Harsent and director Reza Moradi, were broadcast on ITV1 on August 24 and 31 of 2010 after 27 years of the beloved show.

Sadly, some of the show's cast members are no longer with us, having passed away in the years after the series came to an end. Other fan favourites are still in the limelight and have continued on with their acting careers while a select few have tried their hand at something entirely new, the Mirror reports.

So where are they all now? Here's a look at where some of The Bill's most memorable cast actors are today.

Jeff Stewart (PC Reg Hollis)

Jeff Stewart, now 69, played the quirky and dedicated PC Reg Hollis for 24 years. After discovering his contract wouldn't be extended back in 2008, Stewart made an attempt on his own life but fortunately survived and continued with his acting career.

His performance in Under Jakob's Ladder earned him the Best Actor accolade at the Manhattan Film Festival.

An insider close to the actor said at the time: "Jeff is in financial trouble. He has been sobbing and there have been a lot of tears. He was semi-conscious in hospital, so he has been through an ordeal. He is very badly hurt and terribly disappointed about being axed."

With earnings of £150,000 per annum, Jeff was among the top-paid cast members. Notably, he also featured in the inaugural episode of The Bill when it premiered in 1984.

Chris Ellison (Frank Burnside)

Chris Ellison, best known for his role as the tough DI Frank Burnside, even landed a spin-off series titled Burnside. After The Bill, he made appearances in popular shows such as EastEnders and New Tricks, and was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015.

Now 78, Ellison has been actively raising awareness about aphasia, a speech-impairing condition that he shares with fellow actor Bruce Willis.

He suffered a stroke in 2020, which his wife discovered when she found him collapsed on their bedroom floor at their Brighton home.

Following his hospital recovery, Ellison returned home in November 2020, where his wife took on the role of his full-time carer. Despite his speech difficulties, Ellison retains full comprehension of what others say to him.

Kevin Lloyd (DC Tosh Lines)

Kevin Lloyd portrayed the endearing DC Tosh Lines until 1998. Battling alcohol addiction, he was let go from the show and tragically passed away soon after entering rehab in 1998, aged just 49.

His character continued to feature on-screen for several weeks following his death.

Sarah Manners (PC Kirsty Knight)

Sarah Manners, 49, portrayed PC Kirsty Knight towards the end of the show. She later made an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing and successfully developed a Pilates application, Pilates On Tap, earning herself a reputation as an inspirational figure in the tech industry.

Sarah secured the sixth position in Strictly during 2004. Following a six-month on-screen stint as Kirsty in The Bill, news emerged that the show was slated for cancellation.

At that time, she confessed: "I'm heartbroken. Not just for myself, but for everyone on the show. It's a real loss for the industry. Everyone is really upset about it."

Ben Roberts (Chief Inspector Derek Conway)

Ben Roberts played the role of Chief Inspector Derek Conway from 1987 until his character's dramatic departure in 2002. Roberts passed away in 2021 at the age of 70, leaving behind a rich legacy of unforgettable performances.

His passing was confirmed by his former agent, who described him as a "wonderful" actor with an "an extensive career in theatre, TV and film".

Roberts' character in the ITV police drama was depicted as a traditional officer and a skilled hostage negotiator.

His character met a tragic end when a petrol bomb was thrown into his police car. His acting career continued with roles in the 2011 film adaptation of Jane Eyre and Tim Burton's 2016 fantasy flick, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

He leaves behind his wife, Helen Lloyd, a former continuity announcer and audiobook narrator.

Sam Callis (DC Callum Stone)

Sam Callis, 51, joined the cast of The Bill in its latter years, taking on the role of DC Callum Stone.

Ever since, he has featured in an assortment of TV dramas and continues to work within the industry, juggling roles both in front and behind the camera.

Sam found love with his wife Osmin while working on London's Burning, and the pair now live in London. In December 2008, he embraced fatherhood for the first time when his daughter was born. He also has a son.

Chris Simmons (DC Mickey Webb)

Chris Simmons joined the cast of The Bill in the late '90s, taking on the role of DC Mickey Webb. After his stint on The Bill, he made appearances in EastEnders and Hollyoaks and has been active in youth initiatives in his hometown of Gravesend.

Simmons was part of The Bill from 2000 to 2003. In October 2011, he had a brief run on EastEnders as Mark Garland, a romantic interest for Kat Moon.

In 2020, he participated in a three-part The Bill Podcast alongside his co-star Sally Rogers to promote his leading role in Sally's play The Still Room.

Currently, he is involved in creating safety sketches for workers on the HS2 project.

Cat Simmons (DC Kezia Walker)

At 44, Cat Simmons added layers to the character of DC Kezia Walker.

After The Bill, she continued her acting career in both TV and theatre, landing roles in productions such as Oliver! and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Tony Scannell (DS Ted Roach)

Tony Scannell, who played DS Ted Roach, was an Irish actor who graced The Bill for nine years before his departure in 1993. He passed away in 2020 at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of dynamic performances.

Scannell first appeared on The Bill on October 23, 1984, in an episode titled "A Friend in Need."

Originally contracted for just two episodes, he ended up staying until 1993. He also featured in the Channel 5 soap opera Family Affairs as Eddie Harris from 1997 to 1999.

Scott Maslen (DS Phil Hunter)

After his stint on The Bill, Scott Maslen, 53, shifted his focus to EastEnders, landing a central character role as Jack Branning. Additionally, he competed in both Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity MasterChef.

Having secured his role in The Bill in 2002, he announced his departure in 2007 to fully commit to EastEnders.

Beyond his acting career, Scott is married to Estelle Maslen, with whom he shares a son named Zak Alexander Maslen. The couple had been together for nine years before they got married on September 6, 2008.