ITV1's new-look The Bill reels in 4.5m viewers

Thursday night's revamped launch of The Bill was watched by 4.5 million viewers in its new 9pm time slot, reports The Guardian.

ITV1's popular police drama increased its ratings in comparison to last Thursday's 8pm episode, which attracted 4.3 million viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures.

And ITV said the show was up by 700,000 viewers against the ITV1 Thursday 9pm slot average over the year to date.

But The Bill lost out to BBC1's New Tricks, which attracted 6.8 million viewers - and a 29 per cent audience share - in the 9pm hour.

Elsewhere, ITV1's revamped Thursday night schedule proved to be a success thanks to Coronation Street and a double-bill of Emmerdale.

Emmerdale's extra 30-minute Thursday episode, which moved from Tuesdays, picked up 6.6 million viewers and a 34 per cent share.

Coronation street, which moved from its usual Wednesday night slot, drew in 7.7 million and a 36 per cent share between 8.30pm and 9pm.