Panorama returns to prime-time TV

The programme was launched on 11 November 1953

Panorama, BBC One's long-running current affairs show, is to return to peak time from January 2007 as part of the channel's winter schedule.

The show, which moved to Sunday nights in October 2000, will have a regular weekly slot at 2030 on Mondays.

BBC One controller Peter Fincham said he was "really excited" about the move.

"In its new slot Panorama will continue to be the flagship of serious, rigorous, trustworthy journalism on the channel, covering a range of topics."

The switch to Mondays will almost double the programme's output from 15.5 hours to 28 hours, comprising 48 30-minute shows and four one-hour specials.

Launched in November 1953, Panorama was initially broadcast fortnightly but became weekly in September 1955.

Three-year deal

The show created history in 1961 when it interviewed the Duke of Edinburgh - the first time a member of the Royal Family has been quizzed on television.

In 1995 Martin Bashir's interview with Diana, Princess of Wales was seen by a record 22.8 million viewers.

Lucas and Walliams have made three Little Britain series to date

"I am absolutely delighted to see our most important current affairs programme return to the heart of the BBC One schedule," said BBC director of news Helen Boaden.

At Tuesday's press launch, Mr Fincham also announced that Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams had signed a three-year exclusive deal with the corporation.

"I think they are worth the money," he said, though he declined to confirm how much the pair were being paid.

According to the BBC One controller, the comedy duo are planning two Little Britain Christmas specials and a new show featuring some of their established characters.

Other highlights of BBC One's new schedule include:

A one-off Royle Family special reuniting Ricky Tomlinson, Caroline Aherne and the rest of the original cast.

An adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre with Ruth Wilson in the title role and Toby Stephens as Mr Rochester.

An £8m revival of Robin Hood, with Jonas Armstrong as the legendary folk hero and Keith Allen as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, starring Jane Horrocks as a local supermarket manager who stands for Parliament.

London, a one-off film drama about life in the capital starring Colin Firth, Anne-Marie Duff and Robert Carlyle.