The Bill set for huge TV return – with TWO reboots in the pipeline
FANS of The Bill were excited to hear the series was due to return – so they’ll be whipped into a frenzy by news there’s a second reboot in the pipeline.
Last year, a trio of actors from the original show joined forces with writer Simon Sansome to revive the police drama, which aired on ITV.
I can reveal UKTV is in the early stages of developing a new version of the show, which could be ready as early as next year.
A TV insider said: “In the minds of many producers and execs, The Bill is a drama which is just sitting, waiting, to be rebooted.
“It’s a simple format but one which attracted a loyal army of followers who would be delighted to see it return.
“No doubt any new incarnation would be tweaked to make it attract a whole new generation to the show.”
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The Bill launched on ITV in 1983 but was axed in 2010, after chalking up 2,425 episodes and 26 series.
The show, set in fictional Sun Hill, became the longest-running police procedural drama in Britain.
Its cast quickly became primetime celebrities, including the three actors looking at reviving it in 2022 — Mark Wingett, who played DC Jim Carver, Trudie Goodwin, know to viewers as Sgt June Ackland and Graham Cole, whose character was PC Tony Stamp.
The award-winning show also helped to launch the careers of a string of actors who took small parts on the show when they were starting out.
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That list includes Keira Knightley, David Tennant, James Mcavoy, Sean Bean and even David Walliams and Paul O’Grady.
For old time’s sake, now might be their chance to put in another cameo appearance, or maybe two.
Bizbit
BECOMING King of the Jungle means so much to Christopher Biggins that he would not want to risk losing the title by appearing on the All Stars version of I’m A Celeb.
He said: “Being King of the Jungle is very important to me.”
He won in 2007 but insists he has not been asked on the new version.
CORDEN’S LATE DATE WITH JOE
THE Late Late Shows hosted by James Corden in London will include an interview with Joe Biden.
As part of a special week when the Gavin & Stacey favourite brings the chat show across the Atlantic, his interview with the US President was actually pre- recorded, on a visit to the White House.
In a preview on Sky, which will screen the London shows, James and Biden put on aviator sunglasses as the pair sit down to talk.
Biden says: “You look real good, man,” and James replies: “And you, Mr President.”
Surely it would have been more fitting if James met Boris Johnson on his jaunt back to Blighty . . .
Bizbit
ANT & DEC joked their ambition is to “make money while they sleep”.
At industry event Advertising Week Europe, Dec said: “Our next focus is putting more time and energy into working hard on the creative side for other people and brands and making money while we sleep.
“That’s the big ambition.”
AJ’S RAD HAIR DAY
HAIR today gone tomorrow? There’s no chance of that if AJ Odudu has anything to do with it.
The presenter has landed another plum gig, this time on a beauty show to rival the BBC’s Glow Up.
She will oversee 11 hairstylists as they battle to become champion of The Big Blow Out on E4.
Racing against the clock, the contenders will be working on real clients in the first challenge, then unleashing their creativity to produce some heart-stopping, gravity-defying and spectacular creations in the Masterpiece challenge.
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AJ, who is sporting a new afro hairdo, said: “The Big Blow Out is full of drama, dedication, excitement and, most importantly, creative hairstyles on all hair types that will be sure to blow your socks off.”
The host, who made it through to last year’s Strictly Come Dancing final before pulling out after injuring her ankle, will be joined by celebrity hairdressers Sam McKnight and Lisa Farrall, who are the judges.