Winstone bemoans 'Bill' binning

Ray Winstone is furious that ‘The Bill’ has been axed.

The British actor – who is more used to playing characters who are on the wrong side of the law – is deeply upset at the cancellation of the long-running ITV police drama series, and has fond memories of appearing in it when he guest starred in two episodes in 1991 and 1995.

He told the Daily Star newspaper: “It’s a disgrace that it’s been cancelled. How can ‘Coronation Street’ go on for 50 years?

“'The Bill’ is a great programme, my fondest memories are having a drink with the boys afterwards.

“I needed a job and ‘The Bill’ was there, it helped me ply my trade as an actor on that set.”

Ray’s character in the show was an old adversary of character D.C.I. Jack Meadows (Simon Rouse), who was suspected of abusing teenage boys.

The ITV drama series has broadcast over 2,300 episodes since it began in 1984, but will end in the autumn because of dwindling viewing figures in recent years.

Other high profile actors who have starred in ‘The Bill’ at some point during their career include Keira Knightley, Paul O'Grady, Michelle Collins, Roger Daltrey, Sean Bean, Les Dennis, David Walliams, Todd Carty, Darren Day, Hugh Laurie, Alex Kingston, James McAvoy, John Hannah, Denise Van Outen, Kathy Burke and Pauline Quirke.