BRITAIN’S longest serving television cop PC Tony Stamp has hung up his truncheon this week after 25 years in ITV1’s hit police drama series The Bill – and his first stop is Southampton.

“It was an honour playing Tony Stamp and I loved every minute of my time on The Bill,” says Graham Cole who played the loveable bobby.

“I’m humbled at the following my character has gained over the years. There’s even a fan club dedicated to him called Stampers!”

Graham is regularly spotted by fans. “The family’s quite used to people going ‘Hello Tony’ everywhere we go,” he smiles. “I just wave back. It’s absolutely lovely.”

Graham worked on the stage and as an extra in programmes like Doctor Who and Only Fools and Horses before joining The Bill.

He enjoyed researching life on the beat which is one of the reasons he’s been called telly’s most realistic copper – by real policemen.

“I did do a lot of research with the real police.” he says. “It gave me such a strong foundation for the character and the officers I’ve met have often told me how genuine Stamp always came across, which is great.”

Stamp’s endurance owes much to Graham’s willingness to muck in. “Over the years you’ve seen Stamp in every kind of situation, whenever there was running through water or mud I knew my character would be there somewhere,” he grins.

“I’ve always done my own stunts and I’ve ended up with quite a few cuts and bruises over the years.”

Graham, 57, has now penned his autobiography On the Beat published by splendidbooks.co.uk which reveals just what it was like to star in Britain’s favourite police drama for 25 years.

Touring the country promoting his story, he’s delighted to meet fans. “It’s all very exciting and wonderful to meet people who’ve travelled miles just to say hello,” he says.

Graham will be signing copies of his book at Waterstone’s in WestQuay between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, November 21.