Questions, questions, questions? Hopefully we've got the answers,
answers, answers!
If you can't find the answer here and you've searched The Files with
no success then email us at burnsidefiles@bigpond.com.
Our top secret snouts are ready, willing and able to investigate at the
merest whiff of a Burnside related information challenge.
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What is the FBI?
FBI stands for Frank Burnside Immortals. It is a fan group for Frank
Burnside from The Bill and also for the actor, Chris Ellison, who portrays
him. It is based on Pearson's The Bill Forum. The acronym was originally
suggested by Tania. |
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When did it start?
The FBI and The Burnside Files were both launched on the 14th of November,
2000. |
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Who created it?
Avon and Anna founded the fan group. Avon is the FBI's fearless leader
and Anna is the webmistress who created the site. |
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How many members does the FBI have?
Sixteen, currently! You can join too. Check out our Membership Requirements
page. |
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What's this Forum you keep talking about?
When you see The Forum mentioned on this site we're talking about an
internet forum which is based at Pearson Television's The Bill website.
Don't know what we're talking about? Then drop by and visit at www.thebill.com.
There is also a second, privately run, Forum for The Bill fans at www.tbvu.co.uk. |
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What's TB?
TB is the generally used shortening for The Bill, a Police television
drama produced in the UK by Pearson Television. |
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What do you mean 'UK dates/Australian dates'?
The Bill in Australia, where this website is based, is approximately
11 months behind the UK in the screening of first-run episodes. This time-lag
has varied over the years. For consistency we use UK dates when referring
to an episode's transmission date. |
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What is a spoiler?
A spoiler is when you tell somebody what is going to happen in an episode
before they have seen it. This can a problem in TB fandom because of the
above mentioned time-lag between UK and Australian screening dates. While
we will endeavour to cover any breaking news, we will also attempt to avoid
giving any significant spoilers or will give adequate warning of them. |
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When was Burnside in TB?
Christopher Ellison appeared three times as Burnside in a guest role
before Burnside was written in as regular. They were Funny Ol' Business
– Cops and Robbers (16th October, 1984), Ringer (6th January, 1986) and
Chief Super's Party (10th February, 1986). His debut as a permanent character
was in Just Call Me Guv'nor (4th August, 1988). Burnside's last episode
as Sun Hill's Guv'nor was Bare Faced Lies (4th September, 1993) but his
leaving episode was actually Gone But Not Forgotten (7th September, 1993).
Burnside returned as a semi-regular in Cast No Shadow (27th October, 1998).
His final – it would appear – episode has not yet been screened in Australia.
NEEDS
UPDATING |
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What is Burnside – the series?
Burnside was screened in the UK in July 2000. It is a six part series
starring Ellison as DCI Burnside. Burnside has moved to the National
Crime Squad, an organisation often described as being the equivalent of
the FBI!! (We know nuffin', Guv - honest!) There is also a book 'Burnside
– the Secret Files'. While it also features Burnside at the NCS it contains
a different story from the series. A review of this book can be found on
our Evidence page. NEEDS UPDATING |
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When will Burnside be shown in Australia?
Current news is that the ABC has bought Burnside but will not be screening
it for some months. Watch this space for an update! NEEDS
UPDATING - SEE ABOVE |
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When was Chris Ellison born?
16th December, 1946, in Fullham, London. |
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Is Ellison married?
Chris has been married to Anita for more than twenty years. They have
two children – Louis and Francesca. |
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Francesca - is this a coincidence?
Apparently not. Francesca was born while Chris was appearing as Burnside
- and he has said that Frank Burnside provided the inspiration for the
name. |
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Are his eyes really that blue?
We reckon so...and they're pretty gorgeous too! |
