THE BILL 'SET TO RETURN TO TV FOR REBOOTED SERIES'

New reports suggest the cop drama is set to return for two new series.

The Bill originally ran between 1983 and 2010 with over 2,000 episodes.

A source told The Sun: "The project started picking up pace last year after the cast got together to mark ten years since the show last aired...

"Simon started investigating the rights and managed to acquire them. Three of the best known stars are in talks and he’s hopeful he can get them on board. Tony has seen the script and they hope they can get him signed up too. They’re in constant contact and the project has begun to move on quickly. There’s a couple of channels interested in bringing back what is such a well-loved story...

"The idea in the early script is that it’s some new cast mixed with some of the legends of the original. The new, green, coppers need a helping hand after murder and suicide rates go sky-high in Sun Hill so they bring back the legends as consultants to help with their investigations. They think, like the original, it’ll be hard-hitting but also with a nice tone the family could enjoy."

ITV have ruled themselves out of the reboot.