Scott Manslen, best known as The Bill’s DS Phil Hunter, has decided to jump ship and leave the ITV drama in a move to BBC soap opera, Eastenders.

An ITV insider told The Sun: “He handed in his notice this week and broke the news to colleagues. Nobody had a clue before that.

“It’s come as a bombshell to the producers because they see Scott as a pivotal character. He’s been on the show for five years and is getting fed up with the direction of the show.”

They added: “ITV has dictated changes, insisting on guests, basically trying to make it sexier. A lot of people are unhappy.”