Moment actor who played PC Reg Hollis in The Bill turns real-life crimefighter to foil runaway thief before handing him over to real police
Footage has captured Jeff Stewart, best known for playing the legendary role of PC Reg Hollis in The Bill, assisting Hampshire police officers in arresting a shoplifter in Southampton on Wednesday, July 23.
Two members of the force are initially seen chasing after 29-year-old Mohammed Diallo as he exited a Co-op supermarket in Southampton with his bike.
While the thief initially manages to get on his bike, he eventually falls off, with officers quickly tackling him to the ground in a car park as he desperately tries to escape their grip.
Then, Mr Stewart, who starred in over 900 episodes of the hit ITV drama from its inception in 1984 until he left in 2008, proceeds to sprint across to assist police with the shoplifter, helping to sit on his legs as officers arrest him.
As an officer turns to the Scottish actor to thank him, Mr Stewart, 69, is heard saying in response: 'Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years'.
One bewildered officer then replies: 'Amazing! Were you? Can we have a photo with you after?'
Following the incident, Hampshire Police praised the quick-thinking assistance of Mr Stewart, with a force spokesman remarking: 'Long since retired from Sun Hill station - but he's still got it!'
This is the incredible moment Jeff Stewart (pictured), the actor who played PC Reg Hollis in The Bill, turns into a real-life crimefighter to foil a runaway thief before handing him over to the police
Footage has captured Mr Stewart (pictured) assisting Hampshire police officers in arresting a shoplifter in Southampton on Wednesday, July 23
As an officer turns to the Scottish actor to thank him, Mr Stewart, 69, is heard saying in response: 'Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years'
Pictured: Mr Steward with one of the Hampshire Police officers he assisted that day
Reflecting on his incredible help that day, they added: 'In policing you should always expect the unexpected, but this really wasn't on The Bill for this week.
'Officers making an arrest in Southampton were aided by none other than TV's PC Reg Hollis during an incident on Wednesday July 23.
'The officers... were in the city in the afternoon when they were alerted by staff at Co-op in Ocean Way to a suspected shoplifter, who attempted to make good his escape on a bicycle.'
As he attempted to flee the scene, the thief, 29-year-old Mohammed Diallo, then fell off his bike, with officers quickly moving in to make their arrest.
But, to their surprise, they had some special assistance - 'local TV legend Jeff Stewart - who played PC Hollis for 24 years in The Bill - came to their aid by sitting on the suspect's legs while officers put him in cuffs.'
Sam Holton, who witnessed the incredible ordeal, was working from his home when he heard 'lots of screaming and commotion' outside.
He added: 'I see this guy cycling away, and he is being chased by a member of the public and two police.
'By the time I had whipped out my phone, the first police officer tackled the guy to the floor on his bike, and the other chap caught up.
Mr Stewart, who starred in over 900 episodes of the hit ITV drama from its inception in 1984 until he left in 2008, proceeds to sprint across to assist police with the shoplifter, helping to sit on his legs as officers arrest him. Pictured: Mr Stewart as PC Reg Hollis in 'The Bill' in 2007
Following the incident, Hampshire Constabulary praised the quick-thinking assistance of Mr Stewart, with a force spokesman remarking: 'Long since retired from Sun Hill station - but he's still got it!'
Two members of the force are initially seen chasing after 29-year-old Mohammed Diallo as he exited a shop in Southampton with his bike
Sam Holton, who witnessed the incredible ordeal, was working from his home when he heard 'lots of screaming and commotion' outside
'There was an older guy chasing behind the police. He helped the police hold the guy.'
Diallo - from Southampton - admitted five counts of theft, totalling £284 at Southampton Magistrates Court.
He will be sentenced next week.
Mr Stewart first shot to fame as PC Reg Hollis in the soap in which he appeared for nearly a thousand episodes.
He starred alongside Graham Cole's PC Tony Stamp and Mark Wingett's character DC Jim Carver.
Though he didn't appear in the pilot episode, he featured regularly from the first regular instalment onwards and appeared in a total of 872 episodes.
The star played Reg for 24 years, before the character was axed in January 2008.
Speaking in 2011 about the decision, Mr Stewart told The Sun: 'I felt I had been badly let down.'
A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: 'Officers making an arrest in Southampton were aided by none other than TV's PC Reg Hollis during an incident on Wednesday July 23'
Diallo (pictured) - from Southampton - admitted five counts of theft, totalling £284 at Southampton Magistrates Court. He will be sentenced next week
While he initially manages to get on his bike, he eventually falls off, with officers quickly tackling him to the ground in a car park as he desperately tries to escape their grip
After hearing the plans from the show's producers, the Scotsman went back to his dressing room and still dazed by the news, attempted to take his own life.
As he began to black out, he changed his mind and rang the front desk for help.
Luckily he was found in time and was rushed from the studios in Merton, South West London to hospital.
'I didn't see a counsellor, it was evident I was OK and I never worried how it would affect my career.
'I thought, "I have a choice, you can either stagnate or blossom"', he added.
Though Mr Stewart (pictured in 2007) didn't appear in the pilot episode, the star played Reg for 24 years, before the character was axed in January 2008
Mr Stewart first shot to fame as PC Reg Hollis in the soap in which he appeared for nearly a thousand episodes. He starred alongside Graham Cole's PC Tony Stamp and Mark Wingett's character DC Jim Carver
Though The Bill was Mr Stewart's (pictured centre, biggest role to date, Mr Stewart has appeared in a number of other programmes including Crossroads, Doctor Who and Hi-De-Hi!
The Bill ran for a total of 26 years, with the popular series ending in 2010 after being axed - much to the dismay of staunch fans.
Though The Bill was his biggest role to date, Mr Stewart has appeared in a number of other programmes including Crossroads, Doctor Who and Hi-De-Hi!.
He has also starred in independent films and won a Best Actor award for his role in Under Jakob's Ladder at the Manhattan Film Festival in 2011.
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