The Bill
Specials
19839 episodes
"Woodentop" is an episode of the Thames Television series Storyboard, which comprises a series of one-off plays on different themes. The episode was originally broadcast on 16 August 1983. Woodentop became the first-ever episode to long-running British police television series The Bill. The name woodentop is a colloquialism for beat policemen who traditionally wear helmets; the nickname is itself an allusion to the Children's TV series The Woodentops.
Episode 1
Pilot: Woodentop
Aug 16, 1983
The episode documents PC Jim Carver's first day at Sun Hill Police Station, during which he is partnered with experienced WPC June Ackland. It isn't specified how long Ackland has been at Sun Hill but, even at that point, it appears to have been substantial, because she is highly respected. The day is an eventful one: the pair's first assignment together leads them to discovering the decomposing body of a woman in her bath. Later, whilst on patrol, Jim encounters a rude youngster (Gary Hailes) and, influenced by comments made by older officers at the station, decides to clip him round the ear. That action results in Carver receiving a reprimand from Sergeant Wilding. However, the boy's father approves of his son's treatment, so no further action is taken. June Ackland and Dave Litten have been in an on-again off-again relationship and, whenever they cross paths, both tend to go silent, making other members of their relief uncomfortable.
Episode 2
Kiss Off (1)
Mar 14, 2000
P.C. Santini is desperate to conceal his involvement with the Ortons. One of the AMIP team assigned to investigate the explosion at their club is Det. Sgt. Rosie Fox.
Episode 3
Kiss Off (2)
Mar 21, 2000
D.S. Fox is convinced that P.C. Santini was involved in the murder of Jessica Orton, but her D.C.I. thinks she has lost all objectivity.
Episode 4
The Bill Uncovered: Des and Reg
Mar 17, 2004
PC Reg Hollis arrives to find his friend and former colleague, Des Taviner, has made him a video diary. As he watches the video, he remembers the good and bad times they had on the beat together at Sun Hill.
Episode 5
The Bill Uncovered: Kerry's Story
Nov 4, 2004
PC Kerry Young's story is told through the eyes of her nemesis, PC Gabriel Kent. Gabriel gives snapshots of Kerry from her early relationships with officers at Sun Hill through to her tragic death.
Episode 6
The Bill Uncovered: Jim's Story
Feb 24, 2005
As actor Mark Wingett prepares to leave the programme, he reflects on his character Jim Carver's 21 years at Sun Hill, from naive probation bobby to DC and all that came in between - drinking, gambling, marrying and divorcing Marie and finally landing the woman of his dreams - June Ackland.
Episode 7
The Bill Uncovered: On The Front Line
Apr 27, 2005
Supt. Adam Okaro recounts some of the extraordinary events from the turbulent history of Britain's most famous police station, with car chases, fatal accidents, armed robberies, rescues, explosions and full-scale riots. This episode features excerpts from Instant Response, Quits, Humpty Dumpty Part One, Live and Ticking and Badlands.
Episode 8
Farewell To The Bill
Aug 31, 2010
This special epsiode takes a look back at the series now that the final episode has aired.
Episode 80
The Bill Uncovered: Kerry's Story
Nov 4, 2004
PC Kerry Young's story is told through the eyes of her nemesis, PC Gabriel Kent. Gabriel gives snapshots of Kerry from her early relationships with officers at Sun Hill through to her tragic death.