I just checked The Bill Wiki, It was filmed as a feature length episode but broadcast as a two-parter

http://thebill.wikia.com/wiki/Old_Enemies

Just be aware - the Series 16 set has an episode missing ("In Safe Hands"), which takes place right in the middle of the Don Beech saga. The ongoing Beech storyline is only the B-Plot of the episode however and nothing much develops, but it's still missing nonetheless.

Plus, the DVD sets are not in widescreen, much like the current Drama/Watch airings.

Yes I noticed that, thanks, i'll just record and put onto DVD that episode when it hits Watch HD

So tempted to buy one of The Bill box sets from Amazon. One of the 1998 - 2003 ones.... how big is the box set?! 11 discs.... wow it won't fit through my letterbox then!

Same here, tempted to get all 1998, 1999, to go with all 2000 that i've just ordered

Go for it, only way to get the lot Uncut. already have Series 15 and 16. dont wether to for 14 next or 17.

Yes it is - 'Old Friends' and 'New Enemies'.

so it is, the 2nd part is called New Friends, thanks.

It doesn't look like we will see the Beech scandal on Drama- next Mondays EPG says something about Morgan dealing with a case...WDC Morgan was killed off in 1994??? So I guess we might be goin back a fair distance...

Looking into it further it must be a error on the epg. There is two episodes called "in safe hands" one from 1993 with Morgan and tosh the other is 2000 which leads into the beech scandal.
Glad it is a mistake although I wouldn't say no to older episodes featuring Tosh Lines

Yes three episodes commencing the Beech saga are on this week, so this must be the Beech 'Touch and go'.

When did Smithy stop being racist?

When he started liking this Chinese kid in "Lullaby"

Yes, my recordings through the series link on my Sky Planner are cutting off with about a minute or so of the programme left. Fortunately (so far) the episode from the next day is starting recording with about two or three minutes of the previous episode still being shown.

I assume it is Drama not setting up the timings correctly and so the episode being braodcast is overrunning on its timings? It's annoying though.

Excellent thanks

I am sure my recording messed up today otherwise old friends only ran for 35 mins without the ad breaks

The guy caught in possession in the club was Anthony Cotton from Coronation Street

Do you think they could bring back The Bill?

Not the way it was no

I must admit, I prefered the older Bill format.

Does anyone know why the NEW FRIENDS episode shown on Drama today was so short? It ended at 49 minutes on my SKY box including the 3 minutes padding I allow before the start and several commercial breaks. Was it edited for violence perhaps?

on mine when i took the adverts out it was nearer 35 mins

Me too currently watching the episodes on drama and ones from 1995

It's fine don't panic, the running time of the episode on ITV was 40 minutes. hope this helps

oh i see thanks for the info