History of The Bill episode of "The Bill" was aired on Tuesday, 31 August 2010, followed by a special tribute show named "Farewell The Bill". History of The Bill From the ITV police drama's first screening in 1983, the history of "The Bill" includes a variety of major plotlines and changes to the programme's format. During 1983, Thames Television broadcast a one-off drama called "Woodentop". It was written by Geoff McQueen, who had previously worked on LWT's "The Gentle Touch". "Woodentop" followed Police Constable Jim Carver (Mark Wingett) on his first day, mentored by Woman Police Constable June Ackland (Trudie Goodwin). The production was
Woodentop (The Bill) Thames Television transmitted "Woodentop" as part of its "Storyboard" anthology series of one-off dramas. It was written by Geoff McQueen, a writer who had genre experience after writing episodes of LWT's "The Gentle Touch". "Woodentop" stood out from run of the mill police dramas of the time for a number of reasons including the use of hand-held cameras and natural lighting as well as the use of naturally sounding dialogue. The show created a realistic portrayal of modern-day policing, and there was nothing like it on television at the time, a fact which was actively exploited by the programme's makers.