The lowdown: 'The Bill' is one of the longest-running police shows in the world, first broadcast as a regular series on 
16 October 1984 on ITV. It was preceded by a one-off episode called 'Woodentop', which was part of a series called
'Storyboard'. 'The Bill' follows the men and women of Sun Hill police station in inner London, as they deal with a range
of crimes, both serious and petty, as well as the daily trials and tribulations of life on the beat. The format has changed 
a lot over the years, from 50 minute episodes to 25-minute ones and back to 50 minutes in recent years. As well as 
numerous cast changes, the show has shifted from purely focusing on investigating crime to a more in-depth look at 
the lives and loves of the Sun Hill officers. Some people have criticised the recent direction of 'The Bill' for making it 
more like a soap opera, but the show continues to be one of the most popular on the ITV schedule.

Sylvester McCoy guest starred in episode 21 of Season 18, which was first broadcast on 18 April 2002. It was one of 
the first episodes to be produced without individual titles for each episode. McCoy plays a man named Ian Drew, 
who is taken in for questioning by the police after being found in the backyard of a neighbour's house with a crowbar.
The police subsequently try to ascertain why he was digging in his neighbour's yard.

Trivia:
Sylvester McCoy was not the first Doctor to appear in 'The Bill'. Colin Baker was a guest star in 1997.
 
  Quotes:
  Police: What exactly are you digging for?'
  Drew: 'Moles?'
  Opens bag.
   Police: 'Moles?' 
  Drew: 'Well, they don't half take some killing.'
Video Clips:
Moles  (6.0mb - Avi)


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