Blue Peter "Sailors Hornpipe" was used instead. The opening theme has been updated several times. The following is a list of all the versions of the "Blue Peter" signature tune, "Barnacle Bill" that have been used on the show : The debut of a new version of the famous theme tune "Barnacle Bill" is sometimes accompanied with an introduction by the presenters at the time explaining the reasons behind the new rendition. Mike Oldfield appeared on the programme around 1979, and his version of the theme tune was so popular with viewers that the producers decided to record it for use as
The Bill light of the show's 25th anniversary was broadcast, which saw former actors and special guest stars telling their accounts of working on the show and how it changed their lives. It included old favourites such as Billy Murray (DS Don Beech), Chris Ellison (DI Frank Burnside) and popular TV personalities such as Paul O'Grady and Les Dennis. A two-part crossover episode with the German series "SOKO Leipzig", entitled "Proof of Life", was broadcast in November 2008. Following "The Bill's" final episode on 31 August 2010, a one-hour special titled "Farewell The Bill" was broadcast. The special explored the history of