QUICK ROUND-UP (21/03/09)

Firstly, apologies for the woeful lack up updates to the site over the past 12 months - we'll endeavour to keep everything ticking over more frequently this year.

The main news, which I'm sure you've all heard about, is that The Bill is going to have its transmission output halved to just one episode a week.

Next month, the show will be relaunched in a post-watershed timeslot of 9pm. The move will apparently 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.

It's the first time The Bill has been broadcast post-watershed since the late 80s.

CHARACTERS TO LEAVE

In other news, Lisa Maxwell has quit The Bill after seven years on the show.

Maxwell, who plays DI Sam Nixon, will depart the show in an "explosive storyline", reports The Sun.

"I've loved every minute of my seven years on The Bill but feel I have taken the character of Sam as far as I can," she said. "It is time to move on to new challenges. When people start referring to you as the longest-standing female cast member it is probably time to take the hint."

Doug Rao, who plays DS Stuart Turner, will also be leaving the show in the next couple of months.