\'The Bill\' is to return to UKTV Play.
The streaming service is offering viewers a chance to re-watch the first five series of the beloved police drama - which saw an ensemble cast, including stars Andrew Lancel and Jeff Stewart - as police officers on duty.
A tweet from the UKTV Play account read: "Your favourite stories. Your favourite characters. Your favourite theme tune. The first five series\' of #TheBill are coming exclusively to UKTV Play on May 1st. (sic)"
\'The Bill\' was the longest-running police crime drama in the country running from 1983 to its cancellation in 2010, following the "changing tastes" of viewers.
Now fans of the show are delighted to get the chance to watch the series on-demand during the coronavirus lockdown.
One tweeted: "This is wonderful news! Thank you very much UKTV! (sic)"
Another fan wrote: "This has brightened up my day, sensational news (sic)"
Whilst a third added: "Excellent news! Thanks. Looking forward to it :) (sic)"
The ITV drama won numerous accolades during its 27-year run, including BAFTAs, a Writers\' Guild of Great Britain award, and Best Drama at the Inside Soap Awards in 2009.
It also featured appearances from several famous faces throughout the series such as Sean Bean, Hugh Laurie and Keira Knightley.
However, many of the original cast members went on to star in other soaps, as Andrew - who played DC Neil Manson from 2003 to 2010 - landed roles in \'Coronation Street\', earning him the award for Best Villain at the British Soap Awards in 2012.
The show also featured Scott Maslen as DS Phil Hunter from 2002 to 2007, and he is now more famously known as police officer Jack Branning on \'EastEnders\'.
