Nikki Wright

Infobox character
name = Nikki Wright


caption = Gillian Taylforth as Sgt Nikki Wright
occupation = Police Officer
title = Sergeant
callsign = Sierra Oscar 87
portrayer = Gillian Taylforth
first = 8 November 2006
last = 31 July 2008

Sergeant 87 Nikki Wright is a character in the English television series "The Bill". She is played by Gillian Taylforth.Her callsign is 'SO 87' (Previously 'SB 21'). Nikki first appeared on screen in November 2006, but joined Sun Hill in December 2006.

Personal life and background

Nikki used to work in her mother's hair salon, but joined the police in order to pursue a more exciting career. Nikki is married to a fellow Sergeant, Doug and has two children as well as two stepchildren.

Nikki made a distinct impression on the relief at Sun Hill after she helped them deal with an armed robbery on Sun Hill's patch. Nikki eventually transferred from neighbouring station Barton Street because her husband Doug was also a Sergeant there and it was difficult working together. Superintendent John Heaton employed her only reluctantly on the recommendation of corrupt DAC Hobbs despite wishing to promote PC Yvonne Hemmingway.

The "Cop Killer" incident

In July 2007, Nikki's husband Doug was stabbed but survived the stabbing. Shortly after the incident, two new recruits Constables Sally Armstrong and Billy Rowan arrived in Sunhill, with Nikki and PC Emma Keane assigned to "puppywalk" them. Near the end of a shift, the four attended a shout involving kids throwing stones at a disused cheese factory, where Billy volunteered to enter the building with Nikki. It turned out to be a trap laid by Greg Farnham, the man responsible for Doug's stabbing, who trapped Billy behind a metal sliding door, separating Billy from contact and assistance from Sgt. Nikki Wright on the other side, Farnham wrestled Billy to the ground and slit his throat. A distraught Nikki tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him, and eventually had to be pulled off the body by DC Terry Perkins, blaming herself for his death. The unsuccessful attempts of Nikki to radio for assistance when she discovered Billy's body after running around the long way to gain access to the room she was locked out of, was down to her Personal Radio (PR) failing, as she couldn't get a signal to use it as she was in a building.

Barton Street and previous

In Nikki's first episode it was revealed that she had completed her police training in 1978, the same day as June Ackland. In 2006 Nikki was stationed at Barton Street with husband Sergeant Doug Wright and best friend DS Janine Buxton. In November Doug told Nikki to put in an application to transfer to Sun Hill. Sgt. Wright was originally drafted in after the news of Sergeant June Acklands retirement plans, but was officially taking over Sgt. Sheelagh Murphy's rank.

Departure

In June 2008, it was confirmed by Gillian that she was resigning from The Bill to spend more time with her car crash survivor daughter. Nikki's replacement Rachel Weston will arrive in July 2008. Although Gillian has left The Bill, she will return to film one last episode before the character officially leaves.