I don't mind Phil's character, I like him, but I'm not too keen on when they focus in too much on his personal life (I guess that's how I feel about all of them really). Not really a fan of Stuart's character, I think they were trying to go for a clash of personalities thing and it's certainly worked lol But you're right, they've drawn it out a lot.

Not ashamed to say I still miss Ken Drummond's loud flowery shirts I don't think anyone in CID has replaced him in the colourful shirt game...? Was hoping someone would have done

I must admit I found Phil more likeable whilst he was in his relationship with Sam he mellowed a bit, but now it's back to the macho rivalry with Stuart.

Adam Deacon, who played Billy Eldridge, was on the news this morning presenting a piece on bi-polar disorder, which he himself has.

Thought I knew him from somewhere!

True, I think his character deserves a bit more than just competing with Stuart all the time which is all he seems to be doing now I like his partnership with Zain, just a shame he doesn't know what Zain's been upto undercover!

Love it when they play the 'Where's Zain?' game every morning Could turn it into a series of books...

The bill could still hold its own now, it doesn't seem dated at all unlike some other copy shows, worst decision ever to drop it

Assuming The Bill is shown every weekday except for Bank Holidays, for which it is often dropped from the Drama schedule, I estimate the last episode will be on or around the 31st August 2017. There are 269 episodes left. I didn't watch the original run and joined the Drama output when they were in 2002 I think. I'd left the TV on whilst I had a shower. Came back and saw a drunk Jim Carter being hidden in a police van. I was intrigued and have watched every episode since. I will miss it.

Poor Honey, too good for this sinful earth, but at least she managed to get a "Kristen Shaw" in there for the drinking game.

Unless they do the same as they did last Christmas this year and show 2 a day including weekends. That speeds it up a bit.

Todays episode was a good one poor Honey

You'll only miss it if you make an effort, as they'll undoubtedly start all over again when they reach the end!

I sincerely hope so, as I've never seen the shows prior to 2002 since they were originally transmitted. I didn't realise that we had only got just over a year to enjoy these re-runs (which undoubtedly include the final series which was badly marred by the production changes).

I thought they don't go back to the very early years of the show. All the broadcasts on both Drama and W (Watch) in recent years have been the more recent stuff.

The Bill like Heartbeat on ITV3 just seem to be on an endless loop. However at least ITV with Heartbeat have gone back to the beginning of the show in recent years, but some of their recent cycles have only been the later series.

Wow 129 pages, never thought this would happen when I opened this thread. I no longer watch The Bill on Drama I watched it for a bit but lost track shortly after.

Hard to believe Drama started 3 years ago.

The episodes they are currently showing on Drama with Honey/Zain/Kristen were a great batch of episodes and had me on the edge of my seat!

I haven't tuned into the Drama re-runs for a while but I am curious to see the 2009/2010 episodes again ... I remember the revamp started poorly, but there were some good episodes in the 2010 era and it was hitting its stride towards the end I thought. I'm only recalling from my memory when I initially watched it on ITV though.

Thanks for posting these - I am currently reading the thesis and it's absolutely fascinating. I'm on page 140 at the moment. Interesting to get an insight into what goes on behind the scenes!

They should never have axed The Bill, I remember watching the last few episodes in 2010 when it finished and was sad to see it go I preferred the show before it had it's 'gritty' mid-2009 revamp but it still had a lot of excellent episodes 2009-2010, it just felt like a different show.

Back to today's episode though: poor Honey! I really thought they were gonna realise what had actually happened to her today, at least Will's been catching on that something isn't right.

Other words for the Zain undercover drinking game:

"Haskew"
"Bar Morocco"
"Eva Garcia"
"Alvarez"

I really like Jack Meadows, but how many of his detectives gone behind his back and have acted without his authority , it makes him look a bit of a mug. I'm sure most if his team have at one stage, yet he never disciplines them, no wonder Zain thinks he can get away with this.

This ending of Zain's storyline reminds me a bit like Eddie Santini when he was trying to cover his tracks, Santini's storyline is probably my favourite storyline in The Bill

With what's been going on the past few weeks of The Bill they could have just called it 'Finding Zain'

'Where's Zain?'
'Has anyone seen Zain?'
'Zain was due back an hour ago!'
'Phil, have you seen Zain?'

I thought the 'Beach' story was better, & also liked the undercover one with, Micky, Dave, & Paul .......... horses for courses tho just my opinion

I'm sure ive heard Meadows say "He's one of my men" referring to Zain, in every episode for about a month

"Chez"
"SOCA"

I've just caught up on the final episodes of the Kristen/Zain storyline.

Good grief, if I'd been playing the "Kristen Shaw" drinking game I'd have been drunk as a skunk!!!!