The Bill (series 5)

*The Bill*
The Bill
Season 5
	Series 5 (Australian DVD Cover)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	104
Release
Original network	ITV
Original release	3 January –; 28 December 1989
Series chronology
	← Previous; Series 4 Next →; Series 6
	List of episodes

The fifth series of The Bill, a British television drama, consisted of 104 episodes, broadcast between 3 January – 28 December 1989. The series was first released on DVD as part of the Collection 3 and Collection 4 DVD boxsets in Australia, made available on 8 August – 7 November 2007, respectively. The first four episodes of the series were later issued on DVD in the United Kingdom, under the title Volume 4, on 15 March 2010. The next thirteen episodes of series 5 were released on DVD in the UK, under the title Volume 5, on 11 July 2011, the next 48 episodes of Series five were released on DVD in the UK under the title Volume 6, on 15 October 2012 and the remaining episodes were released on DVD in the UK under the title Volume 7, on 2 September 2013. The series was later reissued as two half-series boxsets in Australia, released on 7 March 2012. The above DVD artwork is taken from the most recent Australian release. It features images of DC Jim Carver and Sgt. Bob Cryer. The British volume artwork features a collage image featuring a variety of characters from across the season. The original Collection boxsets contained sole images of PC Pete Ramsey and PC June Ackland respectively.

Cast/Crew Commentaries[]

A number of The Bill Video/Audio Commentaries for Series 5 episodes have been recorded with cast and crew, including actors Colin Blumenau (P.C. Taffy Edwards), Larry Dann (Sgt. Alec Peters), Trudie Goodwin (W.P.C. June Ackland), Robert Hudson (P.C. Yorkie Smith), Chris Humphreys (P.C. Richard Turnham), Jon Iles (D.C. Mike Dashwood), Andrew Mackintosh (D.S. Alastair Greig) Nick Reding (P.C. Pete Ramsey) and Barbara Thorn (Insp. Christine Frazer), writers Garry Lyons, Christopher Russell and J.C. Wilsher, directors Niall Leonard and Jan Sargent.^[1]

Cast changes[]

Arrivals[]

Departures[]

Episodes[]

#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Episode notes	Guest stars	Original air date
1	"Getting It Right"	Terry Daw	Barry Appleton	First appearance of DS Alistair Greig	Bernard Horsfall, Brian Miller and	3 January 1989 (1989-01-03)
Whilst hunting for a man suspected of abduction, DI Frank Burnside is given the wrong information by PC Pete Ramsey and raids a doctor's hotel room. When the doctor threatens to lodge an official complaint, Burnside and Ramsey try to dig deep into the doctor's past for a bargaining chip. Frank must also come to terms with his new sergeant; DS Alistair Greig seems to prefer playing the clarinet in the Police Band to nicking villains!
2	"A Reflection of Glory"	Christopher Hodson	Brendan J. Cassin	TBA	Stefan Schwartz	5 January 1989 (1989-01-05)
P.C. Ramsey is back in uniform and goes with P.C. Haynes to see about a shoplifter who claims she is innocent. While they are out the back, the shop is held up by armed robbers who shoot at Ramsey. D.I. Burnside thinks it is tied in with other robberies and sends D.C. Carver to have a word with his evasive snout, Leroy. D.C. Dashwood has a new suit much to the amusement of his colleagues. It gets damaged while he is chasing one of the suspects in the robbery
3	"One To One"	Jan Sargent	Christopher Russell	In 2021, Trudie Goodwin (W.P.C. Ackland), Christopher Russell (Writer), Jan Sargent (Director), Tim Vaughan (Script Editor) and Arabella Weir (Guest Star) recorded a Video Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[2]	Arabella Weir	10 January 1989 (1989-01-10)
A councillor's drug-addicted daughter causes trouble for WPC June Ackland and PC Tony Stamp. She takes June hostage in her paraffin soaked flat, June tries to keep her calm but the woman ends up setting fire to the room, June wrestles with her and Tony comes to their aid.
4	"The Mugging and the Gypsies"	Barry Davis	David Halliwell	TBA	Albert Welling and Melanie Hill	12 January 1989 (1989-01-12)
PCs Taffy Edwards and Yorkie Smith along with WPC June Ackland try to enforce a child protection order on a Gypsy family and take their child into protective custody, this turns out to be a difficult job and they end up towing the caravan with the gypsies inside back to Sun Hill. Meanwhile DC Tosh Lines and WPC Viv Martella investigate a beating/mugging on man. They prepare an identity parade for the man to pick out a suspect when suddenly his wife admits she was the one who beat him.
5	"The Chain of Command"	Robert Tronson	Christopher Short	TBA	Brian Bovell, Stella Gonet, and	17 January 1989 (1989-01-17)
A woman comes into the station with her head bleeding telling PC Yorkie Smith she can't go home, Yorkie assumes her husband had been beating her, WPC Viv Martella tries to get her to press charges, but it turns out it was her boyfriend that was beating her not her husband, so she can't go home as her husband will see the bruises. The Husband later turns up at the station and attacks Yorkie. PC Pete Ramsey and WPC June Ackland find a gang of drunks under a fly over, Cryer turns up and they nick all of them. The drunks then have a brawl in the cells. The DTI (department of trade and industry) meet with Ch. Insp Conway and demand he assigns officers to help them close down "Radio Sun Hill" a pirate radio station.
6	"Life and Death"	Robert Tronson	Kieran Prendiville	TBA	Elisabeth Sladen, Arthur Blake, , and	19 January 1989 (1989-01-19)
PC Tony Stamp and WPC Claire Brind bring a drunk into the station, in the man's drunk ramblings to Sgt Alec Peters he mentions he has killed someone just before he passes out from a suspected drug overdose, DC Tosh Lines investigates but they find his wife safe and well and she tells them he has been having an affair with another woman. PC Ken Melvin goes to inform a woman her husband has died in an accident at work but after breaking the news, Ken suspects he's been given the wrong address. It turns out Ken is right and he's just told the wrong woman her husband is dead. Insp Frazer arrives to tell the woman about the mistake but her husband walks in before Christine can tell her. Ken then has to go and tell the correct woman her husband has died.
7	"Hothead"	Phillip Casson	Edwin Pearce	TBA	Larry Martyn, Michael Melia, Stephen Churchett, and	24 January 1989 (1989-01-24)
WPC Viv Martella brings in two schoolgirls who she found chatting up lorry drivers trying to hitch a lift to Manchester, Sgt Bob Cryer gives them a telling of about the danger they were putting themselves in. WPC Claire Brind attempts to calm an angry gang of workers threatening their boss because they are facing redundancy. It ends up turning into a brawl. One of the men grabs Claire's radio and smashes it, then locks her in a room. PC Ken Melvin comes to the rescue. Sgt Cryer gets into trouble for allegedly thumping a prisoner.
8	"Steamers"	Terry Green	Gerry Huxham	TBA	Timothy Bateson	26 January 1989 (1989-01-26)
PC Ken Melvin is sent to check out a strong smell coming from a flat, he finds a man dead. Ken suspects foul play and that drug users are using the flat, DS Ted Roach is sent to investigate. He finds out a gang of squatters were living in the flat and they might be responsible for the man's death. It turns out the man died from a heart attack. Meanwhile DC's Mike Dashwood and Jim Carver lead an investigation into a steaming gang who a responsible for doing over restaurants. DS Roach is left fuming as he feels he has been sidelined with the steaming case.
9	"Duty Elsewhere"	Jeremy Summers	Brendan J. Cassin	TBA	Ricco Ross	31 January 1989 (1989-01-31)
PC Malcolm Haynes goes undercover posing as a driver called Curtis for a gang headed up by "Mr Tubbs". He has been asked to investigate the gang, as they are responsible for a murder and drug dealing. Haynes is sent to pick up a package for Mr Tubbs, after dropping the parcel off he gets recognised as a police officer by one of the gang and they attack him just as the police raid the place. It turns out the murder victim's hand was in the parcel.
10	"Saturday Blues"	Jeremy Summers	David Squire	TBA	Julia Chambers, , Roy Skelton, , Adrienne Burgess and	2 February 1989 (1989-02-02)
WPC Claire Brind finds a girl who is suffering from an overdose, at the hospital DI Frank Burnside turns up and tells the doctor she is his god daughter. WPC Viv Martella arrives at the hospital with the wounded from a wedding party who have been fighting, the rest have been arrested. DI Burnside suspects his goddaughter. Tracy's boyfriend is responsible for her overdose. Burnside goes for the boyfriend in the interview room. Tracy dies and Frank has to break the news to her parents in Australia.
11	"N.F.A."	Keith Washington	Arthur McKenzie	TBA	Peter-Hugo Daly, Betty Marsden and John Ringham	7 February 1989 (1989-02-07)
Ramsey is determined to teach some schoolchildren a lesson.
12	"The Price You Pay"	Keith Washington	Kieran Prendiville	TBA	, Debbie Arnold, Godfrey James and Tony Osoba	9 February 1989 (1989-02-09)
DS Ted Roach stands by and watches a man get beaten up.
13	"The Key of the Door"	Christopher Hodson	Barry Appleton	TBA	and	14 February 1989 (1989-02-14)
Cryer discovers a young boy has been abusing his mother.
14	"Cock Up"	Brian Farnham	Tony Grounds	TBA	Rod Culbertson, Ricci Harnett and	16 February 1989 (1989-02-16)
Cryer's son could be the key to arresting two local drug dealers.
15	"Repercussions"	Brian Farnham	Tony Grounds	TBA	Rod Culbertson and John Fortune	21 February 1989 (1989-02-21)
Burnside's actions on a drug raid leaves Sun Hill in trouble with the public.
16	"A Death In The Family"	Christopher Hodson	John Foster	TBA	and Eric Deacon	23 February 1989 (1989-02-23)
Sun Hill is called in off the street when a frantic couple discovers that their baby has died.
17	"In the Frame"	Barry Davis	Barry Appleton	TBA	, William Simons and	28 February 1989 (1989-02-28)
Burnside finds himself framed by a corrupt colleague and Cryer witnesses a car bombing.
18	"A Good Result"	Jeremy Summers	Christopher Russell	TBA	Oliver Parker and	2 March 1989 (1989-03-02)
PC Yorkie Smith goes undercover with a gang of football hooligans.
19	"Conscience"	Jeremy Summers	Barry Appleton	TBA	Patrick O'Connell	7 March 1989 (1989-03-07)
Roach's date with a married woman reunites him with a face from his past.
20	"Sunday Sunday"	Terry Marcel	Richard LeParmentier and Paddy Fletcher	TBA	, Ann Way and	9 March 1989 (1989-03-09)
Haynes and WPC Viv Martella's Sunday is ruined by a fight in the market.
21	"Climate"	Brian Parker	P. J. Hammond	TBA	Robin Soans	14 March 1989 (1989-03-14)
Roach investigates a spate of attacks on young girls.
22	"Bad Company"	Terry Marcel	Brendan J. Cassin	TBA	Steve McFadden, Victor Winding, Cyril Shaps and	16 March 1989 (1989-03-16)
Yorkie must find PC Ken Melvin when he is kidnapped by a group of factory workers.
23	"Suspicious Minds"	Terry Green	Kieran Prendiville	TBA	Kellie Bright	21 March 1989 (1989-03-21)
Yorkie helps Burnside catch the leader of a pornography ring.
24	"Intuition"	Brian Parker	Jonathan Rich	TBA	Del Henney, Trevor Byfield and Harry Fielder	23 March 1989 (1989-03-23)
Roach investigates a gold bullion robbery.
25	"Loss"	Brian Farnham	P. J. Hammond	TBA		28 March 1989 (1989-03-28)
Yorkie is forced to investigate unsolved cases.
26	"Procedure"	Terry Green	John Milne	TBA		30 March 1989 (1989-03-30)
Sun Hill awaits a visit from the fraud squad.
27	"Luck of the Draw"	Keith Washington	Patrick Harkins	TBA	Allan Surtees, Ian Redford and	4 April 1989 (1989-04-04)
Roach goes undercover to catch a gang running a lottery scam.
28	"No Strings"	Brian Farnham	Kevin Clarke	TBA	Paul O'Grady	6 April 1989 (1989-04-06)
Martella investigates a spate of muggings at a disco.
29	"Fool's Gold"	Keith Washington	David Squire	TBA	Billy Murray and Danny Webb	11 April 1989 (1989-04-11)
Yorkie and Burnside make a deal with a shooter.
30	"The Visit"	Alan Wareing	Barry Appleton	TBA	John Hamill, Ian Collier, Gordon Reid, Luan Peters and Brian Hall	13 April 1989 (1989-04-13)
Martella is held hostage while visiting a prison.
31	"One For the Ladies"	Terry Green	Brendan J. Cassin	TBA		18 April 1989 (1989-04-18)
Sun Hill struggles to locate a Polish salesman and serial bigamist.
32	"No Shelter"	Terry Marcel	Julian Jones	TBA	Kelly Marcel, Mark Haddigan and	20 April 1989 (1989-04-20)
An Italian lorry driver causes chaos at Sun Hill.
33	"Out to Lunch"	Brian Parker	Julian Jones	TBA	Brian Capron, Michael Mellinger and Adrienne Burgess	25 April 1989 (1989-04-25)
A night out leaves Burnside, Carver, and Ramsey in the middle of an Italian turf war.
34	"Free Wheel"	Alan Wareing	P. J. Hammond	TBA	Liz Gebhardt, and	27 April 1989 (1989-04-27)
CID is fully occupied monitoring an arms dealer while a couple continually annoy Yorkie Smith about a stolen car.
35	"Only a Bit of Thieving"	Brian Parker	Chris Barlas	First appearance of PC George Garfield	Hazel McBride and Nicholas Pinnock	2 May 1989 (1989-05-02)
Roach is accused of attempted murder.
36	"Communications"	Alan Wareing	Jonathan Rich	TBA	Oliver Haden and	4 May 1989 (1989-05-04)
While asking door-to-door after a missing girl, PC Taffy Edwards has to deal with a shift worker smashing up a car whose alarm won't stop.
37	"Silver Lining"	Mike Dormer	Colin Giffin	TBA	Catherine Schell	9 May 1989 (1989-05-09)
After enjoying driving a Rolls Royce back to the yard, Haynes finds 80,000 pounds worth of silver bullion in the boot.
38	"Suffocation Job"	Brian Farnham	P. J. Hammond	TBA	Yvonne Antrobus and Liz Fraser	11 May 1989 (1989-05-11)
WPC June Ackland visits a woman with agoraphobia, while Sun Hill investigates a series of burglaries where the offender opens all the doors & windows and yet steals nothing.
39	"Mickey Would Have Wanted It"	Brian Farnham	Kieran Prendiville	TBA	Peter Guinness	16 May 1989 (1989-05-16)
Burnside must find evidence to catch the father of one of his old school friends. Meanwhile Melvin recovers from an attack and Roach struggles to find a working lavatory in the station.
40	"Blood Ties"	Mike Dormer	Chris Barlas	TBA	David Collings	19 May 1989 (1989-05-19)
PC Tony Stamp and WPC Claire Brind delve into the heart of a serious domestic and Sun Hill tries to locate an escaped prisoner.
41	"You'll Be Back"	Richard Standeven	Shirley Cooklin	TBA	Dominic Keating	23 May 1989 (1989-05-23)
After an altercation at the market, an old friend of Cryer's finds himself at risk of returning to prison. Ramsey, Brind and Sgt Tom Penny deal with an attempted suicide in the cells.
42	"Fort Apache - Sun Hill"	Antonia Bird	Barry Appleton	TBA	Tom Georgeson, Bill Stewart, Tip Tipping and	25 May 1989 (1989-05-25)
The station suffers a glut of prisoners while Yorkie and Ramsey chase some high-end smugglers. Chief Superintendent Milan arrives from Scotland Yard to check the books but is he really who he claims to be?
43	"Waste"	Richard Standeven	Al Hunter	TBA	Suzanne Bertish, John Barrard, and	30 May 1989 (1989-05-30)
Haynes discovers the remains of a teenager's body on a building site. Burnside, DC Tosh Lines and DC Mike Dashwood investigate illegal chemical dumping and uncover a secret from the past of the building site's manager.
44	"The Strong Survive"	Sharon Miller	Brendan J. Cassin	TBA	Dexter Fletcher and Michael Robbins	1 June 1989 (1989-06-01)
Carver is run over while trying to stop an armed robber.
45	"Loving Care"	Michael Owen Morris	Al Hunter	TBA	Philippa Urquhart	6 June 1989 (1989-06-06)
When a retired woman's house is burgled, Carver finds a young girl at the bottom of her shed.
46	"Back on the Streets"	Alan Wareing	Simon Moss	TBA		8 June 1989 (1989-06-08)
Carver fails to capture a convict.
47	"FAT'AC"	John Bruce	Julian Jones	In 2020, actor Robert Hudson (Yorkie) recorded an Audio Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[3]	Roy Boyd, Tony Haygarth, and	13 June 1989 (1989-06-13)
When he is forced to deal with a fatal accident, Yorkie starts to doubt his future at Sun Hill.
48	"Somewhere By Chance"	Terry Marcel	Barry Appleton	TBA	Bruce Alexander	15 June 1989 (1989-06-15)
An ex-soldier attempts to blow up a shopping complex.
49	"A Quiet Life"	Sharon Miller	Simon Moss	First appearance of PC Cathy Marshall	Race Davies and Arthur Smith	20 June 1989 (1989-06-20)
Carver grows close to the victim of a spate of robberies.
50	"Tom Tiddler's Ground"	John Bruce	P. J. Hammond	TBA	Peter Benson and	22 June 1989 (1989-06-22)
Carver finds himself investigating a villain that Sun Hill has wanted to nail for years.
51	"Make My Day"	Michael Ferguson	Barry Appleton	First appearances of PC Richard Turnham and PC Timothy Able	Martin Benson, John Abineri, Arthur Whybrow and	27 June 1989 (1989-06-27)
Hollis is back on the beat. Burnside's informant provides him information. A retired villain goes after Burnside.
52	"Provocation"	Michael Ferguson	Edwin Pearce	TBA	JoAnne Good	29 June 1989 (1989-06-29)
Dashwood investigates a number of robberies made on building sites.
53	"Overspend"	Terry Marcel	Christopher Russell	TBA	Colin Spaull and Ralph Watson	4 July 1989 (1989-07-04)
Brownlow's new way of saving money leaves CID without transport
54	"Between Friends"	Barry Davis	Barry Appleton	TBA	John Horsley, Richard Moore and David McAlister	6 July 1989 (1989-07-06)
Brownlow is invited to join a golf club.
55	"Traffic"	Bill Brayne	Christopher Russell	Final Appearance of PC Robin Frank In 2020, actors Andrew Mackintosh (D.S. Alastair Greig), Chris Humphreys (P.C. Richard Turnham) and writer Christopher Russell recorded a Zoom Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[4]	Leslie Ash and Gordon Reid	11 July 1989 (1989-07-11)
A young girl is hit by a drunk driver, while Cryer takes the new officer for a walk on the beat.
56	"The Sacred Seal"	Michael Owen Morris	Brendan J. Cassin	TBA	Philip Middlemiss	13 July 1989 (1989-07-13)
Carver struggles to get the truth when a feud between a priest and a convict turns nasty.
57	"Subsequent Visits"	Bill Brayne	Arthur McKenzie	TBA		18 July 1989 (1989-07-18)
When CID ignores a car theft, Tony takes matters into his own hands to try to catch the thieves.
58	"User Friendly"	Graham Theakston	Barry Appleton	TBA		20 July 1989 (1989-07-20)
A light aircraft from Belgium crashes in a Sun Hill park. Melvin and Ackland transport a prisoner from Cumbria on a public disorder charge, only for Chief Inspector Conway to receive a phone call revealing she is involved in a bombing.
59	"Don't Like Mondays"	Antonia Bird	Barry Appleton	Final Appearance of PC Pete Ramsey	Helena Little and Natasha Williams	25 July 1989 (1989-07-25)
Yorkie and Edwards respond to a disturbance at a bank only to find Lines' wife causing a scene with her children because she can't withdraw any money. Ramsey and Ackland arrive only to realise the bank is being robbed as well.
60	"Pickup"	Michael Owen Morris	John Milne	TBA	and	27 July 1989 (1989-07-27)
The relief deal with Ramsey's shooting in different ways. Edwards complains and Haynes gets angry at the public and his colleagues, scolding Lines after picking up Ramsey's possessions at the hospital. Meanwhile Lines has solved a series of robberies before Burnside can arrest the same suspect for armed robbery.
61	"Kidding"	Michael Ferguson	Jonathan Rich	TBA	Madhav Sharma	1 August 1989 (1989-08-01)
Martella is frustrated at domestic violence cases and Marshall explains why abused women stay with bad partners. Stamp and Richard Turnham respond to a report of juveniles shoplifting, and Stamp faces a claim of assault.
62	"Black Spot"	Michael Owen Morris	Arthur McKenzie	TBA	Brian Hibbard, Julie Graham and	3 August 1989 (1989-08-03)
Lines is eager to arrest a criminal named Davy Box, saying he has shown him the Black Spot and is accused by Burnside of seeking revenge. When his wife receives a threatening phone call, he loses his temper and punches Burnside in front of CID and Hollis. Roach is bitten on the arm by an armed robber, and Lines notices a connection between the two cases.
63	"Taken for a Ride"	Terry Marcel	Barry Appleton	TBA	Michael Cochrane, Keith Drinkel and	8 August 1989 (1989-08-08)
Roach becomes eligible for promotion and faces an intimidating assessment panel. Turnham and Able are hiding in the back of a truck as it is stolen and find themselves driven off on the motorway while their communications go down.
64	"Time Out"	Terry Marcel	Barry Appleton	TBA	Ben Onwukwe, Charles Lawson and Brian Croucher	10 August 1989 (1989-08-10)
Burnside's feud with a detective from the robbery squad spirals out of control. Roach is still angry at the board passing him over and offers Burnside his resignation. His observation of a detail solving the armed robbery has Burnside refuse.
65	"Leaving"	Terry Marcel	Christopher Russell	Final Appearance of PC Yorkie Smith	Declan Mulholland, Kathy Burke and Elizabeth Bradley	15 August 1989 (1989-08-15)
Yorkie's last day at Sun Hill leads him to a shop lease scam. The relief plan a couple of farewell pranks for him.
66	"Street Games and Board Games"	Barry Davis	J. C. Wilsher	TBA	Rebecca Lacey and David Savile	17 August 1989 (1989-08-17)
A drugs arrest by CID leads to a racially charged mob menacing Stamp and Ackland, with her angrily confronting Roach. Brownlow attends a training session for Chief Superintendents and deals sternly with a computer simulated riot.
67	"Pressure"	Barry Davis	Kevin Clarke	Final Appearance of PC Malcolm Haynes	Joseph Marcell, and	22 August 1989 (1989-08-22)
Haynes is selected for Sergeant and is suspicious the Metropolitan Police are only interested in the colour of his skin. Stamp and Edwards chase an armed robber who steals a double decker bus, while Edwards' wife goes to the station to accuse Cryer of not allowing him to transfer back to Wales.
68	"A Little Knowledge"	James Cellan Jones	Christopher Russell	TBA	, , and	24 August 1989 (1989-08-24)
Lines goes undercover to infiltrate a minicab firm which hosts illegal gambling, but when Greig commands the raid they burst into the back of the wrong shop. Garfield disguises himself as a deliveryman in order to catch two robbers targeting the pizza shop.
69	"Pathways"	Michael Ferguson	P. J. Hammond	TBA	and George Waring	29 August 1989 (1989-08-29)
Sgt. Peters and W.P.C. Brind deal with the goings on at an allotment garden. A missing person, cultivation of certain substances and the unauthorised use of a potting shed are all investigated.
70	"Seen To Be Done"	James Cellan Jones	Jonathan Rich	First appearance of Sergeant Stuart Lamont	James Cosmo	31 August 1989 (1989-08-31)
Sgt. Penny makes the drunks leave the cells at 5pm in anticipation of the next shift, with one destitute named McPhee begging to stay. He is later found dead in an interview room, with hand and head injuries. Penny is interviewed by Det Ch Supt Cameron and DS Barry as the death is investigated and Hollis sits in as the federation representative.
71	"Tulip"	Keith Washington	Barry Appleton	TBA	Michael Attwell, Trevor Cooper and	5 September 1989 (1989-09-05)
Roach and Dashwood make an arrest outside Sun Hill's district and matters are complicated when they stop to prevent an assault. Their prisoner is stabbed and they find the local unhelpful to their investigation.
72	"Nothing But The Truth"	Keith Washington	Arthur McKenzie	TBA	and Kevin McNally	7 September 1989 (1989-09-07)
Carver lets slip that Burnside spoke to a man arrested for Giro theft without documenting it in case notes and has to answer to the defence in court. Brind checks on the suspect's file and finds a warrant that saves the day.
73	"It's Not Majorca"	Niall Leonard	Julian Jones	In 2021, actor Larry Dann (Sgt. Alec Peters) and director Niall Leonard recorded a Zoom Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[5]	Zohra Sehgal and Perry Benson	12 September 1989 (1989-09-12)
Peters and Frazer are frustrated by two lay visitors from the Home Office inspecting the station. Thirteen prisoners are transferred to Sun Hill after a cell fire at Barton Street, adding to the chaos. Carver and Dashwood are attempting to investigate a case from an undercover van, only to find it is recognised by local youths on the estate.
74	"Mending Fences"	Niall Leonard	Julian Jones	In 2021, actor Larry Dann (Sgt. Alec Peters) and director Niall Leonard recorded a Zoom Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[6]	Zohra Sehgal	14 September 1989 (1989-09-14)
Follows from It's Not Majorca. Peters is carpeted by Burnside over the chaos presented to the lay visitors and is assigned to the vicar's fete. Stamp and Hollis are also at the fete and are kept busy by a gang of juvenile delinquents.
75	"Exit Lines"	Derek Lister	Brian Finch	First appearance of PC Norika Datta	Barbara Durkin and Constance Chapman	19 September 1989 (1989-09-19)
Garfield helps an elderly lady who claims items are disappearing from her apartment. Dashwood and Carver investigate a con man who sells a pigeon, which then returns to him.
76	"That Old Malarkey"	Barry Davis	Julian Jones	TBA	TBA	21 September 1989 (1989-09-21)
Stamp is responding to a noise complaint on his birthday, and finds the complainant is mentally unstable. He realises the security bars on the front door is locked and the incident becomes sinister.
77	"Greig Versus Taylor"	Clive Fleury	Christopher Russell	In 2020, actor Andrew Mackintosh (D.S. Alastair Greig) and writer Christopher Russell recorded a Zoom Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[7]	Derek Newark	26 September 1989 (1989-09-26)
Greig interviews a suspect named Eric Taylor for armed robbery. The case is circumstantial, but he presses with scientific evidence until Taylor cracks.
78	"Tottering"	Chris Lovett	Simon Moss	TBA	Stephen Garlick and Perry Fenwick	28 September 1989 (1989-09-28)
Able and Melvin catch a horse and cart abandoned in a street, a body fitting the description of the driver is found soon after. Hollis finds himself between a disaffected man who bought a used car and the dealer.
79	"I Counted Them All Out"	Paul Harrison	Kieran Prendiville	TBA	, Count Prince Miller and	3 October 1989 (1989-10-03)
Burnside calls in the flying squad for a raid only for them to kill a suspect and a large sum of money goes missing. Carver has qualms about the shooting.
80	"Zig Zag"	Chris Lovett	P. J. Hammond	In 2020, actor Jon Iles (D.C. Mike Dashwood) recorded an Audio Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[8]	Jo Rowbottom, Roy Heather and	5 October 1989 (1989-10-05)
Dashwood and Lines hunt for a private detective. They realise they are in turn being followed, and more than one chase is being played out.
81	"A Matter of Trust"	Derek Lister	Kieran Prendiville	TBA	Tony O'Callaghan, Sharon Maiden, and	10 October 1989 (1989-10-10)
Burnside's tip about an armed robbery is wrong. He realises some of the details are correct and decides to get a suspect off the street.
82	"Tourist Trap"	Diana Patrick	Pete Dearsley	TBA	David Ashton and Petra Markham	12 October 1989 (1989-10-12)
Stamp, Carver, Garfield and Greig stake out a hotel while Ackland and Dashwood take a guided tour. Datta is called to a case of an amnesiac.
83	"The One That Got Away"	David Attwood	Jonathan Rich	TBA	TBA	17 October 1989 (1989-10-17)
Brownlow is driving when he notices a stolen car steering erratically. He catches the driver, but the tables are turned when he steals Brownlow's car. Roach recognises his description as an armed robbery informant. Ackland and Martella are on patrol when June is approached by a man with a bouquet of flowers, who they later see getting arrested.
84	"Found Offending"	Eva Kolouchova	John Kershaw	TBA	Caroline Milmoe and Tim Whitnall	19 October 1989 (1989-10-19)
Stamp catches a runaway begging under a bridge. Hollis is called to a neighbour attempting to knock down a fence.
85	"All Part of The Job"	Bren Simson	Colin Giffin	TBA	Barry Andrews, Alun Lewis and Ray Trickett	24 October 1989 (1989-10-24)
Brind catches the eye of a Special Branch detective. He uses Sun Hill to charge a criminal who has been on the run overseas for 19 years, but as the convoy of cars leave the station they are ambushed. Penny and Ackland investigate a teenage runaway who has stolen drugs from her father's chemist shop.
86	"In The Cold"	Graham Theakston	J.C Wilsher	TBA		26 October 1989 (1989-10-26)
When a body is found in a yard, Burnside is convinced the watchman is responsible. When she is found to have died of natural causes, he is accused of framing the suspect.
87	"Just a Little Runaround"	Eva Kolouchova	Richard Ireson	TBA	Iain Rogerson and Dominic Mafham	31 October 1989 (1989-10-31)
Frazer is assigned to police riot training. She freezes under pressure and is assessed as having failed.
88	"A Fair Appraisal"	Nick Laughland	Garry Lyons	In 2020, actor Colin Blumenau (P.C. Taffy Edwards) and writer Garry Lyons recorded a Zoom Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[9]	Tessa Peake-Jones, Kenneth Farrington and David Sibley	2 November 1989 (1989-11-02)
Edwards attends a warehouse alarm and receives a complaint. Burnside follows a chain of drug supply back to its importation, only to find he has interfered in a Customs investigation.
89	"Visitors"	Clive Fleury	Kevin Clarke	TBA	June Page, Andrew Robertson and Dennis Chinnery	7 November 1989 (1989-11-07)
Lines needs to extend his overdraft to bury his mother. The open day at Sun Hill is ruined when a snooker trophy is stolen from Brownlow's office.
90	"Private Wars"	Nicholas Prosser	Guy Meredith	TBA	Prentis Hancock	9 November 1989 (1989-11-09)
Burnside investigates a trespass at a power station only to find himself being assaulted by security guards. Hollis writes an article for the police federation newsletter which angers management.
91	"Feasting With Panthers"	Simon Cellan Jones	J.C Wilsher	TBA	and	14 November 1989 (1989-11-14)
Penny is given a cigar for saving a shop owner from a ticket, angering the relief. Dashwood investigates a case of demanding money with menaces between ex-boyfriends.
92	"By The Book"	Jeremy Silberston	John Milne	TBA	Renu Setna and Michael Bilton	16 November 1989 (1989-11-16)
Dashwood is suspicious when a young lady is able to purchase a large prescription of opiates as a registered addict with a private doctor, and she is later found beaten up and robbed. Fraser makes Able and Garfield role play taking statements.
93	"Beer and Bicycles"	Nick Laughland	Christopher Russell	TBA	Nigel Humphreys	21 November 1989 (1989-11-21)
Able is laughed at by Stamp when he goes out on bicycle patrol, but ends up catching a criminal dumping a car after an armed robbery. Conway finds alcohol hidden in the station and looks for more.
94	"Grace of God"	David Hayman	Paddy Fletcher and Richard LeParmentier	TBA	Douglas Henshall, Christopher Fairbank, Katherine Parr, Louis Mahoney, Shay Gorman and	23 November 1989 (1989-11-23)
Cryer deals with a former soldier who is squatting in his previous house, now purchased for a development. Stamp and Melvin evict a group of factory workers from a pub, only to find they have returned to the factory to continue the party.
95	"Just Another Day"	Nicholas Prosser	J.C Martindale	TBA		28 November 1989 (1989-11-28)
Melvin brings in a saxophone player who could be a 20th century version of the Pied Piper. Brind deals with a lady going into labour who has been chased from her house by a savage dog owned by her husband.
96	"Gone Fishing"	Nick Laughland	Jonathan Rich	TBA	Harry Fowler	30 November 1989 (1989-11-30)
Carver and Roach investigate a hit-and-run incident. Roach lies that a witness has come forward in order to get a confession from his suspect: the husband.
97	"Early Bird"	Eva Kolouchova	Tom Needham	TBA	TBA	5 December 1989 (1989-12-05)
Lines and Carver suspect a man with no socks of committing burglaries. Edwards and Brind bring in a homeless woman with a birdcage.
98	"Just For The Crack"	Jeremy Silberston	Steve Trafford	TBA	Alan Ford and	7 December 1989 (1989-12-07)
Garfield and Martella investigate a spate of motorcycle thefts, including a police bike. Melvin has to tell a victim the Crown Prosecution Service will drop his case, while Able has to deliver a death notice.
99	"Woman In Brown"	Eva Kolouchova	Alan Clews	TBA	Mark Greenstreet, and Walter Sparrow	12 December 1989 (1989-12-12)
Ackland arrests a woman for shoplifting baby clothes, then responds to an abduction of a baby girl. Meanwhile Lines and Carver investigate a stolen cars racket.
100	"Speaking Freely"	David Attwood	Gary Lyons	In 2020, actress Barbara Thorn (Insp. Christine Frazer) and writer Garry Lyons recorded a Zoom Commentary for this episode, released exclusively on Patreon^[10]	TBA	14 December 1989 (1989-12-14)
Frazer dispatches the relief to secure a lecture picketed by feminists. Meanwhile, she is given a negative assessment in her annual evaluation.
101	"The Return of The Prodigal Son"	Keith Washington	John Kershaw	TBA	Michael Graham Cox and Karl Johnson	19 December 1989 (1989-12-19)
The Drug Squad arrives at Sun Hill looking for Burnside however Greig has been made acting Detective Inspector in his absence, angering Roach. A wanted man returns from Belgium wanting to negotiate his surrender, saying he is terminally ill.
102	"Chinese Whispers"	Julian Aymes	Christopher Russell	First appearances of PC Phil Young and PC Dave Quinnan	Michael Wisher and	21 December 1989 (1989-12-21)
DS Greig investigates the vicious mugging of a blind man; new arrival PC Quinnan nails a jewel thief; and PC Datta falls victim to a conman. Frazer reacts angrily to rumours circulating about a career move.
103	"Powers of Exclusion"	Julian Aymes	J.C Wilsher	TBA	Norman Beaton	26 December 1989 (1989-12-26)
After local crime boss Reverend Marcus Ogun is arrested in possession of an illegal sheath knife, Burnside seeks further evidence from his known associates. Meanwhile Cryer is under pressure to allow Ogun's solicitor's clerk access to her client.
104	"Saturday Night Fever"	Bren Simson	Edwin Pearce	Final Appearance of PC Claire Brind	Gordon Salkilld, Clive Rowe and	28 December 1989 (1989-12-28)
Carver and Burnside investigate the stabbing of a drug dealer while Garfield and Brind bring in a teenage girl who has hit her mother.

,

References[]

[1] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[2] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[3] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[4] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[5] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[6] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[7] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[8] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[9] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

[10] "The Bill Podcast is creating Exclusive Podcasts, Reactions and Commentaries".

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[3]

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[5]

[6]

[7]

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[9]

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v t The Bill
Series	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Notable episodes	"Woodentop" (1983) "Evacuation" (1988) "The Don Beech Scandal" (1999–2001) "Beech is Back" (2001) "Golden Opportunity" (2002) "Sun Hill Serial Killer" (2002–2003) "Fatal Consequences" (2003) "The Return of Don Beech" (2004) "Confessions of a Killer" (2005) "The Anniversary, Part Two" (2005) "Assault on Sun Hill" (2007) "Frontline" (2008) "Proof of Life" (2008) "Respect" (2010)
Spin-offs	Burnside (2000) Murder Investigation Team (2003–2005)
Characters	Dale Smith Callum Stone
Lists	Home video releases Awards and nominations History