From 1994 to 1995, Yates directed several episodes of the ITV police procedural "The Bill" before directing and producing three episodes of the television documentary "Tale of Three Seaside Towns" alongside producer Alistair Clarke. The programme followed media personalities Russell Grant, Honor Blackman and Pam Ayres visiting and exploring the South Coast towns of Brighton, Eastbourne and Weymouth. Yates directed his fifth short film "Punch" before making his feature film debut in 1998 with the release of the independent historical-drama film "The Tichborne Claimant". The film, which was shown at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, was written by Joe Fisher and based on the true events of the Tichborne Case. It starred Stephen Fry and Robert Hardy and was shot on location in Merseyside and on the Isle of Man.