[Scarlett.]

ITV police drama The Bill is to have its transmission output halved to just one episode a week.

Later this year, the long-running show - based in the fictional London suburbs of Sun Hill - will be relaunched in a the post-watershed timeslot of 9pm.

The move will allow the programme's content to become 'grittier and more action-packed', while at the same time maintaining its regular character narrative and storytelling about modern-day policing.

ITV’s director of television Peter Fincham said of the move: "I'm delighted to announce The Bill's transition to a weekly 9pm drama on ITV1. It's a fantastic opportunity to take the series to another level, marking a new era for one of the most established brands on British television."

CEO Lorraine Heggessey added: "This is a huge vote of confidence from ITV in the show and is a genuine first on UK television. We are incredibly proud of the show and we look forward to embracing the new opportunities this will bring."

It has not yet been announced which night the weekly episode will air in the schedules.

In 2007, it was rumoured that ITV was becoming 'a bit bored' of the show, but a spokesperson quickly denied reports that the commercial broadcaster had imminent plans to cut the number of episodes by 50%.

Digital Spy

This will be a good move IMO, it will be able to tell stories better than before