The Bill cast unrecognisable 40 years after crime show debut

This Morning viewers were treated to a special interview on Wednesday's show as hosts and spoke to three stars from The Bill.

To mark the beloved crime drama turning 40, the presenters welcomed Mark Wingett, Graham Cole and Andrew Lancel to the show. However, ITV viewers will know them best for their roles as DC Jim Carver, PC Tony Stamp and DI Neil Manson.

Speaking about their time on the show, Mark revealed he had made over 700 episodes as he called his time on The Bill "amazing". As a flashback image of him appeared on-screen from the pilot episode, the actor looked almost unrecognisable.

Touching on his character, he confessed: "He never really rose about DC! I think right at the very end he became a sergeant."

Andrew shared he was extremely nervous to film alongside Mark who was known as "the guru" on set. He added: "I was like, 'Ok this is who I'm acting with Mark Wingett'. I was his boss and I had to tell him off. It was quite a daunting thing to go into it!"

During the interview, people watching quickly took to to share their thoughts on The Bill, with many wanting to see it reprised. One person said: "Absolutely loved The Bill. Should never have ended it! #BringBackTheBill #ThisMorning." Another commented: "Got to love The Bill. #ThisMorning."

Someone else wrote: "We loved the Bill. They ruined it by taking the focus away from the bobby on the beat and making it about the CID. They sacked Reg Hollis. Big mistake. Hope it's coming back."

"The Bill was a good watch #ThisMorning," added another viewer. While someone else shared: " #BringBackTheBill @ITV @ITVX it’s time to bring it back and same with #FootballersWives bring that back too."

Highlighting its popularity, Ben commented: "There is something incredibly special about you lot when you all get together because you shared this experience. We loved it from the outside but you shared it on the inside of course."

Informing viewers how the show is still watched across the , Cat asked the three men: "Do you think they will ever make more of them?"

Andrew joked not with his co-stars as Mark told the presenter he was "too old" while Graham teased that he'd play a dad or grandad if bosses wanted him to.

Admitting it's the most common question they get asked, Andrew added: "In many ways, it's never gone away. It's still there, I don't know how they would reboot it, I'm sure they'd find a way."

Despite Ben telling them how many people are still fond of the show, Graham didn't seem keen on the idea of bringing it back. He told the ITV host's: "I think sometimes just keep it, keep it as it was."

This Morning continues weekdays on ITV from 10am.