Trudie Goodwin quits The Bill after 23 years

The Bill’s last remaining original cast member, Trudie Goodwin, has quit the police drama after 23 years.

Goodwin has been a part of the Thames Television production since its inception in 1983, starring in the original Woodentop pilot then the main series from 1984 onwards. The Mirror reported her intention to bow out from the role of June Ackland last year, but subsequent news of a contract extension cast doubt as to the legitimacy of the tabloid’s report.

However, various outlets are reporting today that Goodwin will in the foreseeable future depart the saga after more than two decades.

“Trudie has been thinking for a while about leaving The Bill and has finally made the difficult decision,” a source told The Sun. “She has signed a new contract which takes her up to the end of the year, but has told producers it will be her last.

 

“She’d like them to come up with a real slow-burner of a plot leading to her exit. They’re in talks now. It promises to be absolutely huge.”

June Ackland’s storylines have included her home being torched; being raped for a second time (the first had occurred off-screen when June was in her teens); and a tumultuous relationship with Jim Carver (Mark Wingett).

The Bill airs twice weekly on ITV.