'The Bill' star Reg in emotional breakdown

The Bill star Jeff Stewart, who plays PC Reg Hollis, is recovering from an emotional breakdown.

The 50-year-old, who collapsed last week and was taken to hospital, admitted he had spent time in rehab but now felt he was back on track. "It's true I was in a bit of a state," he recalled. "In fact I'd hit rock bottom and was on medication.

"But there is no way I would ever take my own life and I can't really explain what happened that evening. I was probably in a worse state than I was prepared to admit - and I did go to the Priory for a few days to get back on my feet."

"I'm back home now and I'm feeling fit and strong enough to return to work," he told the Daily Mirror. "The Bill has given me a great focus in life and this recent illness has renewed my relish for acting and for life in general."

In 1996 Stewart was accused of smoking cannabis and indulging in sado-masochistic sex. He was a close friend of former Bill star Kevin Lloyd, who died from drink-related problems in 1998.