Cameron Tait is a fictional character from the British police procedural television series The Bill, played by Daniel MacPherson.

MacPherson believed Cameron was somewhat resentful about having to leave Australia, and the reasons for his transfer would become apparent as he settled into life at Sun Hill.

Cameron's secret and his reason for relocating to London was revealed in August 2003, as he reunites with his young daughter, Emily (Lily Devereux).

One of the character's more notable storylines sees him burdened by guilt over the death of Sergeant Sheelagh Murphy's (Bernie Nolan) daughter, who he was babysitting.

One television critic believed that MacPherson had been introduced as "eye candy" for the viewers, but a reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald observed that he had become an audience favourite.

MacPherson was appearing in a production of the stage musical Godspell at the New Wimbledon Theatre when he was spotted by The Bill's producers, including Paul Marquess, when they came to see the show.

[1] He admitted that he and his family were not fans of the show, but he had seen some scenes and conjured an image of "older guys in suits, and grey skies, and plods in uniform", which made him unsure about whether the role was right for him.

[1] However, MacPherson recognised that the show had changed a lot since Marquess had taken over and it was achieving strong ratings in both the UK and Australia, so he was convinced to accept the role.

He spoke with the officers about what his character's life would be like working in Sydney, which helped him to imagine the culture shock Cameron would get upon his arrival at Sun Hill and his new beat in the East End of London.

[8] MacPherson told her that his shaven head and the act of putting on the police uniform made him feel "physically ready for action.

[8] He teased his Cameron's story arc, saying "It's gritty stuff, and my character who starts as a happy-go-lucky Aussie develops a dark side.

"[9] A reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald observed that Cameron closely resembled MacPherson's own personality, saying he "couldn't seem sunnier or more relaxed".

[4] To most of his colleagues, he is "Mr Sunny" with his charm and hard work ethic, which sees him take on tasks others tend to turn down.

"[1] MacPherson was glad of the chance to play a more complex character, which was in sharp contrast to his former role as Joel Samuels in Neighbours, who was known for being a "Nice Guy".

MacPherson explained that Cameron is half-undressed and unpacking in his "carefree Aussie way" when PC Kerry Young (Beth Cordingly) knocks on the door ready to take him to the station.

[11] After being informed that he would be appearing in the nude, MacPherson began attending the gym to tone up, and his training later inspired him to run the London Marathon.

However, unlike typical dramatic "blasts from the past", Cameron's secret was far from "sinister" when it is revealed that he moved to the UK to be with his young daughter, Emily (Lily Devereux).

Explaining his character's backstory, he said that Cameron met Emily's mother, Kim Bradley (Emma Owen) when she was travelling around Australia.

He believed that Cameron was hopeful of taking Emily back to Australia with him, but he was also "a little bit ashamed" of what happened and worried that his colleagues would judge him.

[15] The storyline later ties in with the return of Niamh's father Des Taviner, who is on the run following his part in the fire at Sun Hill, which killed six officers.

[15] Cameron and Kerry unknowingly become pawns in PC Gabriel Kent's (Todd Carty) manipulation of the team at Sun Hill.

When Kerry has a one-night stand with Sergeant Dale "Smithy" Smith (Alex Walkinshaw), which she struggles to remember, Gabriel plants the idea that she was date-raped.

[19] During the two-part episode "Insensitivity", both Cameron and PC Honey Harman (Kim Tiddy) are left with "serious trauma" after a job dealing with a Justice For Dads campaigner grows suddenly worse.

"[22] A show spokesperson confirmed his departure and said that writers would come up with "an explosive exit" for MacPherson, adding "Bosses are currently working on a major 'out' storyline for him which will screen later this year.

[25] An Inside Soap writer observed that Cameron "finally cracks under the pressure and his frustrations surface in a violent outburst.

[26] In a 2015 interview published in The Courier-Mail, MacPherson spoke fondly of his time working on The Bill, saying "I haven't been as excited about my acting career as I was in my early 20s.

[5] A reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald said MacPherson was the favourite to win the award,[5] but he lost out to Nigel Harman of EastEnders.

[5] Executive producer Paul Marquess also pointed out that MacPherson was very popular with younger viewers of The Bill due to his stint on Neighbours.

[31] Another writer for the newspaper branded Cameron "a new Sun Hill bobby dazzler",[32] while Sue Carroll of the Daily Mirror dubbed him "the boy wonder from Down Under" and commented that "he makes an arresting sight".

[8] Another critic for The Daily Telegraph called Cameron a "twinkly Aussie plod",[33] while an Evening Herald reporter branded him "laid-back".