Afleveringen
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The perfect gift for Father's Day!
Barry Appleton investigated some of the most notable crimes of the twentieth century, from multi-million pound robberies to cold-blooded killings that shook the world.
Walking the beat of the crime-ridden East End under the rule of the Krays, Barry went toe-to-toe with the underworld, earning multiple commendations for his courage. Following a series of high-profile murder cases, he was assigned to the Flying Squad and went undercover to investigate the assassination of Martin Luther King.
Life in the ‘Sweeney’ was dangerous and the detective’s dedication to the job saw him injured in the line of duty, pushing him and his family to the limit. After 20 years’ exemplary service with the Met, Barry’s crimefighting adventures continued when he achieved overnight success as the lead scriptwriter of The Bill, adding gritty realism to 50 episodes of the groundbreaking drama.
Now Barry has taken on one final case to unravel his own incredible life story. How did a boy from the Welsh valleys end up in a shootout on the streets of London? What made a hard-nosed cop swap his snub-nosed Smith & Wesson for a second-hand typewriter? And who was the angel always by his side?
Featuring dramatic flashback sequences and never-before-told behind-the-scenes stories from Britain’s longest-running police procedural drama, Twentieth Century Cop is an extraordinary true crime memoir that vividly captures life as an old school copper, on the streets and on the screen.
This special countdown trailer - featuring the titles for all 50 of Barry's episodes of The Bill - is narrated by one of his favourite actors from the series, the mighty Jon Iles (DC Mike Dashwood)
"Twentieth Century Cop" is OUT NOW in hardback from Pen & Sword Books:
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Twentieth-Century-Cop-Hardback/p/57380
Also available at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twentieth-Century-Cop-Flying-Detective/dp/1036199517/
Waterstones:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/twentieth-century-cop/barry-appleton/oliver-crocker/9781036199517
Or order through your local bookshop. -
The Bill Podcast's Oliver Crocker appeared on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on 10 June 2026 to discuss the autobiography of former Flying Squad detective and legendary The Bill police advisor and scriptwriter Barry Appleton. Oliver was delighted to chat to producer and presenter Sue Dougan live in the studio.
Twentieth Century Cop is out now from Pen and Sword Books
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Twentieth-Century-Cop-Hardback/p/57380
Also available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twentieth-Century-Cop-Flying-Detective/dp/1036199517/
Barry Appleton investigated some of the most notable crimes of the twentieth century, from multi-million pound robberies to cold-blooded killings that shook the world. Walking the beat of the crime-ridden East End under the rule of the Krays, Barry went toe-to-toe with the underworld, earning multiple commendations for his courage. Following a series of high-profile murder cases, he was assigned to the Flying Squad and went undercover to investigate the assassination of Martin Luther King. Life in the ‘Sweeney’ was dangerous and the detective’s dedication to the job saw him injured in the line of duty, pushing him and his family to the limit. After 20 years’ exemplary service with the Met, Barry’s crimefighting adventures continued when he achieved overnight success as the lead scriptwriter of The Bill, adding gritty realism to 50 episodes of the groundbreaking drama. Now Barry has taken on one final case to unravel his own incredible life story. How did a boy from the Welsh valleys end up in a shootout on the streets of London? What made a hard-nosed cop swap his snub-nosed Smith & Wesson for a second-hand typewriter? And who was the angel always by his side? Featuring dramatic flashback sequences and never-before-told behind-the-scenes stories from Britain’s longest-running police procedural drama, Twentieth Century Cop is an extraordinary true crime memoir that vividly captures life as an old school copper, on the streets and on the screen. -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Mark Spalding returns for an extended finale, where Rob Cook asks the big question we've all been wondering about the fate of Chief Inspector Stritch.
As well as more "The Bill" discussion throughout this interview, Mark shares gold-dust from his time working on the James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" and Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow", plus his recent work in corporate video and theatre.
You can support The Bill Podcast and unlock over 300 hours of exclusive content by joining our Patreon channel
For just £2.99 you'll instantly unlock Season 1 of The Bill Obbocast, along with hundreds of reaction videos, sample editions of the weekly Evidence Room series featuring rare behind-the-scenes paperwork, cast reunion highlights, Billgrimage location videos and you'll be able to share comments with fellow fans.
The higher your rank, the more content you'll unlock - and there's 7 years worth to investigate
Find out more at patreon.com/thebillpodcast
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com (see also dec4podcast.com) shop.saturdaymorningpress,co.uk (see also michaelseely.substack.com) vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com -
Its 1998 and as football fever grips the nation, DI Deakin and an unlikely trio of uniform cops head out to Brockwell Park for this self-contained story which falls under the microscope of Ben and Becca as they hunt down lidos, mobile phones and receding hairlines...
After you've sampled this extended clip, why not unlock the full Obbocast along with over 300 hours of exclusive content by supporting our Patreon channel
For just £2.99 you'll instantly unlock Season 1 of The Bill Obbocast, along with hundreds of reaction videos, sample editions of the weekly Evidence Room series featuring rare behind-the-scenes paperwork, cast reunion highlights, Billgrimage location videos and you'll be able to share comments with fellow fans.
The higher your rank, the more content you'll unlock - and there's 7 years worth to investigate
Find out more at patreon.com/thebillpodcast
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com -
Chief Inspector Paul Stritch IS BACK!
The mighty Mark Spalding finally makes his much-requested debut on the podcast, as Rob Cook brings us the first of a two-part feature length interview with this extremely charming man.
Mark discusses his early days in theatre and television, including memorable roles in "Prime Suspect" and "Seaforth" - along with a chance encounter with an acting legend.
Rob then takes Mark through a deep dive of his time at Sun Hill, including his two guest appearances. This interview is PACKED with gold-dust!
You can support The Bill Podcast and unlock over 300 hours of exclusive content by joining our Patreon channel
For just £2.99 you'll instantly unlock Season 1 of The Bill Obbocast, along with hundreds of reaction videos, sample editions of the weekly Evidence Room series featuring rare behind-the-scenes paperwork, cast reunion highlights, Billgrimage location videos and you'll be able to share comments with fellow fans.
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress,co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com
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Move over Operation Bumblebee, we have our own ongoing case to crack!
Join your new hosts Ben Adams (who came up with this terrific new format) and Rebecca Deeprose for this remarkable deep dive into a selection of episodes that largely took place away from Sun Hill.
Enjoy this clip from the first extended edition, where the dynamic duo investigate 1989's User Friendly, where Ackland and Melvin are on the road, and 1991's hour-long special Breakout, which features the return of Yorkie Smith!
Patrick will return to The Bill Obbocast once he has finished his writing commitments, along with Ben and Becca, who are here to stay. Please join me in wishing them a warm welcome to the presenting team - they've gone the extra mile on this (literally!) We'll also have some special guests joining them later in the year as they make their way back to Sun Hill.
You can unlock the full Obbocast along with over 300 hours of exclusive content by supporting our Patreon channel
For just £2.99 you'll instantly unlock Season 1 of The Bill Obbocast, along with hundreds of reaction videos, sample editions of the weekly Evidence Room series featuring rare behind-the-scenes paperwork, cast reunion highlights, Billgrimage location videos and you'll be able to share comments with fellow fans.
The higher your rank, the more content you'll unlock - and there's 7 years worth to investigate
Find out more at patreon.com/thebillpodcast
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com -
Stand by for some of the greatest anecdotes we've ever heard on The Bill Podcast as Patrick asks Doug about his exit from The Bill...
WARNING: Contains some strong language!
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com
Order "Hustling the Mob" by Don Spillane from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hustling-Mob-Mafia-Malware-Murder/dp/0990328376/ -
STUART IS BACK!! Patrick Stratford continues to bring the big guns to the podcast as the mighty Doug Rao makes his debut. In the first of a two-part cracker, Doug looks back on his time as Sun Hill sleuth DS Stuart Turner and forward at his exciting filmmaking career, including his debut feature film "Dirty Boy" which has played at Cannes and was nominated for multiple awards at the 2025 Raindance Film Festival.
Star Trek The Next Generation legend Marina Sirtis (Counsellor Deanna Troi) and Paul McGann — the Eighth Doctor himself — headline this year's Gosport Comic Con on March 28th at the Bay House School Sports & Arts Centre, Gosport. Meet a screen legend, grab autographs, and be part of an unforgettable day celebrating fandom, film, and creativity - Tickets are available now at: www.GosportComicCon.com
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com -
In this extended sponsor promo, former Scotland Yard detective and "Hustling the Mob" author Don Spillane shares some tales from his police career and an overview of his new career as an acclaimed crimewriter. You can enjoy more of Don's true crime stories in a series of podcasts released on his YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@donspillaneauthor/
Order "Hustling the Mob" from Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hustling-Mob-Mafia-Malware-Murder/dp/0990328376/ -
On the road to Doctor Who but in the shadow of Quatermass, "The Big Pull" - a lost six part BBC serial - has been be retold by TV historian Michael Seely, accompanied by footnotes of what few facts we know of its production
https://michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pull-part-one
Illustration Robert Hammond which appears in A Message From the Stars: The A for Andromeda Story - https://shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk/product/a-message-from-the-stars-the-a-for-andromeda-story -
All good things... The final Obbocast of Patrick's first season appropriately focuses on The Bill's dramatic and moving 2010 finale, the two-part story "Respect". Joining Patrick for this deep dive into Sun Hill's on-screen climax is USA-based fan, and one of our executive producers, Gary Moncur - a fantastic supporter of the podcast.
Please consider supporting us from just £2.99 and begin unlocking over 300 hours of exclusive "The Bill" content - including cast/crew interviews, episode commentaries, reaction videos and the weekly series "The Evidence Room", where I reveal rare behind the scenes production paperwork from 1999-2001 - including unmade storylines.
patreon.com/thebillpodcast
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com -
Patrick and Dominic return for this terrific conversation, packed with The Bill gold-dust. Enjoy!
Find out more about Dominic's Online Screen Acting Academy:
https://onlinescreenactingacademy.com/site-97
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com
Unlock 250 hours of exclusive "The Bill" content - including cast/crew interviews, episode commentaries, reaction videos and the weekly series "The Evidence Room", where Oliver Crocker reveals rare behind the scenes production paperwork from 1999 - including unmade storylines.
Join from just £2.99 - patreon.com/thebillpodcast -
Natalie Roles narrates this promo for the Manchester SEO Podcast - a Podcast for Business Owners, to tell their story.
MCR SEO Ltd is a Manchester-based, Organic SEO agency with a strong focus on client value and experience, Manchester SEO is a go-to digital SEO agency serving local, national and international brands looking to create real impact in the online, and offline space.
Find out more at https://mcr-seo.com/ -
LEON'S BACK! Patrick Stratford presents a stunning interview with actor and filmmaker Dominic Power, beginning with an insightful conversation about Dominic's new venture https://onlinescreenactingacademy.com/
Dominic also shares his memories of training with legendary acting tutor Anna Scher, snobbery to 'soap' acting from some parts of the profession, and how a memorable guest part in "The Bill" led to him landing his breakthrough role as PC Leon Taylor.
The gold-dust comes thick and fast, so strap yourselves in and enjoy the first of a two-part special.
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com
Unlock over 250 hours of bonus The Bill Podcast content and support the channel from just £2.49 - patreon.com/thebillpodcast -
Natalie Roles narrates this special promo for former senior detective Stuart Gibbon's latest book "Being A Detective" featuring new sections on AI and online safety together with updates on cashpoint crimes, drones and keyless car crime amongst other subjects
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1802364536/
Stuart's The Crime Writer's Casebook has also been updated and features new sections on AI and online safety together with updates on DNA, missing persons and teenage killers amongst other subjects
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1802364528/
"Catching a Killer" has also been updated and now features new sections on AI and stalking/online safety together with updates on criminal law, 3D imaging and blood pattern analysis amongst other subjects
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/180236451X/
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with gibconsultancy.co.uk -
The Bill legends Karl Collins and Chris Simmons rejoin Patrick Stratford to share more Sun Hill memories and pay a tender tribute to their friend and colleague, the late great George Rossi (DC Duncan Lennox)
Natalie Roles introduces The Bill Podcast brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com
This episode, Natalie narrates a special promo for former senior detective Stuart Gibbon's latest book "Being A Detective" featuring new sections on AI and online safety together with updates on cashpoint crimes, drones and keyless car crime amongst other subjects
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1802364536/
Stuart's The Crime Writer's Casebook has also been updated and features new sections on AI and online safety together with updates on DNA, missing persons and teenage killers amongst other subjects
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1802364528/
"Catching a Killer" has also been updated and now features new sections on AI and stalking/online safety together with updates on criminal law, 3D imaging and blood pattern analysis amongst other subjects
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/180236451X/
Unlock 250 hours of exclusive "The Bill" content - including cast/crew interviews, episode commentaries, reaction videos and the weekly series "The Evidence Room", where Oliver Crocker reveals rare behind the scenes production paperwork from 1999 - including unmade storylines.
Join from just £2.99 - patreon.com/thebillpodcast -
In the first of a feature-length deep dive into the original hour-long series, Oliver Crocker makes his debut on an Obbo as two podcasters join forces to celebrate the Galloway Years.
What Patrick didn't know at the time of recording was that Oliver had ghostwritten the true crime memoir of Barry Appleton - the original police advisor and writer of 50 hard-hitting The Bill scripts.
Barry had an astonishing career as a bobby on the beat, later joining the Flying Squad and working on some major cases. You can find out more and pre-order Twentieth Century Cop from Pen & Sword books - it truly is an extraordinary True Crime memoir, PACKED with new and revealing behind-the-scenes information about The Bill not covered anywhere else - https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Twentieth-Century-Cop-Hardback/p/57380
Unlock all 11 editions of The Bill Obbocast so far for just £2.99 as a Rookie patron - along with 10 sample episodes of The Evidence Room 1999 - patreon.com/thebillpodcast
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and donspillane.com -
What's the difference between robbing a bank and robbing a Mafia bank? Sara and Joshua are about to find out...
Joshua is a world class hacker and his partner, the alluring Sarah, is a master safe cracker who make their living pillaging other criminal’s bank accounts.
An attempted assassination puts them on the run. In return for help from a middle Eastern spy chief, they’re tasked with disrupting an arms deal being negotiated by a crooked banker in the Cayman Islands. This same banker launders money for his main client, a New Jersey mafia boss.
A huge pot of money proves too big a temptation and, in this international, absorbing crime thriller, Sarah and Joshua must outsmart a growing list of bad guys.
“The edge-of-your-seat suspense and the plot twists had me flipping through page after page.” – Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite
Don Spillane was born, raised and educated in Bournemouth, England. In the 1960s and 1970s he served as a young detective with the Metropolitan Police in London, commonly known as Scotland Yard. He worked the East End of London at the time of the notorious gangsters, the Kray Twins, and assisted in the investigation of murders, armed robbery and other criminal activity. Don was accompanied by the Yard's famed Flying Squad during his final arrest, that of a contract killer.
Don now lives in Huntington Beach, California with his wife, Carol and their pet beagle, Lucy. Inspired by his life experiences, he now writes thrilling novels about the worlds of intelligence operatives and crime.
Order "Hustling the Mob" from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Hustling-Mob-Mafia-Malware-Murder/dp/0990328376/
Find out more on https://donspillane.com/ -
Danny Glaze IS BACK! The mighty Karl Collins (DC Danny Glaze) makes his debut on The Bill Podcast alongside his good friend and returning legend Chris Simmons (DC Mickey Webb)
In Part 1 of a two-part special, Chris shares his thoughts on Sally Rogers' 2022 play "The Still Room", and discusses his work as a director on his movie "The Broken Arrow", in which Karl appears alongside other Sun Hill luminaries.
Karl then discusses how his career began before both of these CID heroes begin to look back on their time at Merton.
With Patrick Stratford at the helm, you know you are in for a cracker so sit back, relax and enjoy.
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk mcr-seo.com and introducing donspillane.com
Don Spillane was born, raised, and educated on the South Coast of England. In the 1960s and 1970s he served as a young detective with London’s Scotland Yard working Jack the Ripper’s old territory, Whitechapel and Bethnal Green. While assisting in the investigation of murders, armed robberies, and other criminal activity, he benefitted from the experience of senior colleagues who arrested culprits for such crimes as the Great Train and Bank of America robberies. His backup was the Yard’s famed “Flying Squad” when he zeroed in for the final arrest of his career, a contract killer.
Recently, he’s found a new and rewarding life writing and creating thrilling novels based on his first-hand encounters with the sordid and unsavory denizens of the
underworld.
The opening of the podcast features a special promo, narrated by The Bill legend Natalie Roles, for Don's debut novel "Hustling The Mob" - What’s the difference between robbing a bank and robbing a Mafia bank? Sarah and Joshua are about to find out.
Joshua is a world class hacker and his partner, the alluring Sarah, is a master safe cracker who make their living pillaging other criminal’s bank accounts.
An attempted assassination puts them on the run. In return for help from a middle Eastern spy chief, they’re tasked with disrupting an arms deal being negotiated by a crooked banker in the Cayman Islands. This same banker launders money for his main client, a New Jersey mafia boss.
A huge pot of money proves too big a temptation and, in this international absorbing crime thriller, Sarah and Joshua must outsmart a growing list of bad guys.
"Hustling the Mob" is available on Kindle and paperback from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hustling-Mob-Mafia-Malware-Murder/dp/0990328376/ -
Rob Cook introduces this feast of Fed Rep business as Patrick is joined once more by Ben Adams, who shares so much insight and knowledge in this hour-long special - the first five minutes of which are presented here.
QUESTION: Which Fed Rep would you want in your corner at Sun Hill?
Unlock all TEN Obbocasts and hundreds of hours of bonus content for just £2.99 - patreon.com/thebillpodcast
The Bill Podcast is brought to you in proud association with georgefairbrother.com shop.saturdaymorningpress.co.uk vanguardcomics.co.uk gibconsultancy.co.uk and mcr-seo.com - Laat meer zien
