Star of The Bill 'tried to kill himself' because of worries over online gambling debts

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Stewart, 53, the longest-standing member of The Bill, slashed his wrists minutes after being sacked from the police drama.

Last night it emerged that Stewart, who plays Pc Reg Hollis, had racked up debts from internet gambling sites and confessed to friends that he was "on the edge".

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Jeff Stewart has played the role of PC Reg Hollis in the ITV police drama since 1984

A source close to the actor said: "Jeff is in financial trouble. He has been sobbing and there have been a lot of tears. He was semi-conscious in hospital, so he has been through an ordeal.

"He is very badly hurt and terribly disappointed about being axed."

Stewart has played Pc Hollis since the first episode, which was aired in October 1984, and is the highest paid cast member on £150,000 a year.

But friends said it does not cover the debts he has run up and an insider on the show said his salary was one of the reasons ITV bosses had to let him go.

They said: "There are big cutbacks on the show but Jeff thought his talents were worth more than just money."

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Jeff Stewart with former The Bill star Todd Carty

Stewart cut his wrists on Tuesday evening shortly after being told that his contract would not be renewed.

He did it in his dressing room but then phoned security staff for help and was taken by ambulance to St George's Hospital in Tooting and placed under observation before being released.

There were fears he had made another suicide attempt after he returned to his £ 1 million home in Kingston.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said officers had visited his house after a "member of the public expressed concern for the occupant", but added that they had been satisfied he was safe.