ITV shunts 'The Bill' to Tuesdays

ITV has shifted its now-axed police drama The Bill to Tuesday evenings until its final episode transmits in August, Digital Spy can confirm.

In July, the commercial broadcaster ditched the programme's two 8pm episodes for a single, post-watershed screening at 9pm on Thursdays in a bid to increase ailing ratings. The new format also allowed for "darker, grittier and more hard-hitting" storylines.

Last month, however, the decision was made to axe the show entirely after 27 years on air following a rethink of the network's drama lineup.

The Bill's latest move takes effect from this evening at 9pm with the latest instalment titled 'Bad Blood'.

An ITV spokesperson this morning told DS: "The Bill will be moving to Tuesdays due to the election programming, which includes the first ever live election debate this Thursday. Thereafter, The Bill will remain in its Tuesday slot until the end of its run."

They added: "New factual programming will be broadcast on Thursdays in its place."

A new run of Griff Rhys Jones's Greatest Cities Of The World is slated to begin on Thursday, April 22 at 9pm.

Since ITV's decision to drop The Bill was announced, fans have launched a campaign to keep the show on air. A Facebook group titled "Save The Bill!" now has almost 25,000 members, while various online petitions have thousands of signatures.

Additionally, a number of TV executives - including controller of BBC drama production John Yorke - yesterday expressed concern over how the loss of the serial could adversely affect the development of writing and production talent in the UK.

Earlier this month, ITV promised that it will fill the gap left behind by The Bill with an "ongoing commitment" to invest in new drama.