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LONDON - "The Bill" actor Jeff Stewart was taken to hospital after trying to cut his wrists in his dressing room when producers ended his contract, a newspaper reports.
Stewart, 52, who plays PC Reg Hollis in the long-running ITV drama, called security guards and an ambulance took him to hospital from the TV studios in southwest London on Wednesday, the Sun said.
The programme's producers TalkbackThames confirmed that an incident had taken place, but did not give any details.
"We can confirm an incident occurred yesterday following a meeting with Jeff Stewart, when the future of Jeff's contract with 'The Bill' was discussed," it said in a statement.
"Our primary concern is for Jeff Stewart's welfare. We are doing everything we can to ensure Jeff is getting the help he needs and would ask that his privacy is respected at this difficult time.
"All our best wishes are with Jeff."
No one at the casting agency that represents Stewart could be reached for comment.
The London Ambulance Service said: "We sent an ambulance and our staff treated an adult male and took him to hospital."
Stewart has played PC Hollis since the show's launch in 1984. It is one of the channel's most popular programmes after "Coronation Street" and "Emmerdale"
He is one of the best-known characters at Sun Hill police station in the fictional east London borough of Canley.
The Sun said producers had told Stewart that his contract would not be renewed. The report said his injuries were not life-threatening.
- REUTERS
