'The Bill' cut to one episode a week

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 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, a show spokesperson denied reports that that the commercial broadcaster had imminent plans to cut the number of episodes by 50%.

Last November, The Bill celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special two-part episode produced in conjunction with German cop show counterpart SOKO Leipzig.