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Sacked Bill star out of hospital Sacked Bill star out of hospital
(about 1 hour later)
The Bill actor Jeff Stewart, who plays PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama, has been treated in hospital after being told he was sacked. Actor Jeff Stewart, who plays PC Reg Hollis in ITV drama The Bill, has been treated in hospital after being told he was sacked.
Press reports suggested the 52-year-old cut his wrists after being informed.Press reports suggested the 52-year-old cut his wrists after being informed.
A show spokeswoman said "an incident" occurred after Stewart was told his contract would not be renewed.A show spokeswoman said "an incident" occurred after Stewart was told his contract would not be renewed.
But she refused to confirm details of what happened because it was a private matter. "Our primary concern is for Jeff Stewart's welfare," she said. But she refused to confirm details of what happened, saying it was a private matter. "Our primary concern is for Jeff Stewart's welfare," she said.
Stewart has been in the show since it began in 1984.Stewart has been in the show since it began in 1984.
The spokeswoman said: "We can confirm an incident occurred yesterday following a meeting with Jeff Stewart, when it was discussed that Jeff's contract would not be renewed.The spokeswoman said: "We can confirm an incident occurred yesterday following a meeting with Jeff Stewart, when it was discussed that Jeff's contract would not be renewed.
"We are doing everything we can to ensure Jeff is getting the help he needs, and would ask that his privacy is respected at this difficult time. All our best wishes are with Jeff.""We are doing everything we can to ensure Jeff is getting the help he needs, and would ask that his privacy is respected at this difficult time. All our best wishes are with Jeff."
Ambulance Ambulance called
Stewart was taken to hospital on Tuesday after an ambulance was called to the studios in Merton, south-west London.Stewart was taken to hospital on Tuesday after an ambulance was called to the studios in Merton, south-west London.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We got a call at 5.50pm last night to an address at Deer Park Road, SW19.A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We got a call at 5.50pm last night to an address at Deer Park Road, SW19.
"We sent an ambulance and our staff treated an adult male and took him to hospital.""We sent an ambulance and our staff treated an adult male and took him to hospital."
The Bill has been on air for almost 25 yearsReg is one of the best-loved characters in the long-running show, and is described on The Bill's official website as "a bit of a loner, resourceful and strong willed".
His character also "lives life by a very strong moral code and hates dishonesty or injustice", it says.
Reg is single in the show and has "given up on the idea of ever finding love" as he is "married to the job", according to the site.
Stewart, from Aberdeen, Scotland, has also had minor roles in Crossroads, Doctor Who, Hi De Hi and Minder.Stewart, from Aberdeen, Scotland, has also had minor roles in Crossroads, Doctor Who, Hi De Hi and Minder.
In 1998, actor Kevin Lloyd - who played Detective Tosh Lines in The Bill - died days after being sacked from the show because of his heavy drinking.In 1998, actor Kevin Lloyd - who played Detective Tosh Lines in The Bill - died days after being sacked from the show because of his heavy drinking.
Lloyd, 49, had been receiving treatment for alcoholism at a clinic in Staffordshire.Lloyd, 49, had been receiving treatment for alcoholism at a clinic in Staffordshire.