Axed Bill Actor Graham Cole blasts producers

The Bill actor Graham Cole, who plays PC Tony Stamp, has blasted producers for deciding to axe him and has also attacked the revamp of the ITV drama.

Earlier this year The Bill announced that its longest serving character, PC Tony Stamp [Graham Cole] was being axed from the series. Producers decided to drop the character from the drama because they felt Stamp wouldn’t fit alongside the revamped, grittier series when the show moved to 9pm.

The decision was widely criticised by Bill fans who even sent up a petition to save him prompting Bill producers to state the character was being “rested” – hinting they could decide to bring PC Stamp back at a later date. However, actor Graham Cole, in an interview with The Mirror, has blasted the decision to drop his character.

“As the longest-serving actor, I was one of the biggest earners and it’s no secret that costs had to be cut. But I’ve spent nearly half my life on that show. What hurts the most is being axed after all that time so quickly. They’ve just thrown it all away – bye, you’re out the door. It beggars belief.” – Graham Cole in The Mirror

Since the announcement that The Bill was to undergo a revamp and move to a 9pm slot, several cast-members have quit the series. Gary Lucy and Ali Bastian have both announced their departures and it’s expected more will follow.

“Everyone from little kids to old grannies loved The Bill, but ITV seem obsessed with 16-32-year-old males. It makes no sense – those people don’t even watch TV! The essence is lost. It’s not The Bill anymore.” – Graham Cole in The Mirror

PC Tony Stamp will remain on-screens for several more weeks before departing in November. Gary Lucy’s character, TDC Will Fletcher, is due to depart in December while Ali Bastian’s character, PC Sally Armstrong, will most likely leave early next year.