Crimewatch viewers have criticised the show after it used a girl’s real life rape and murder as a “disgustingly insensitive” cliffhanger.
“To present is a great honour and with this new format Crimewatch will be even more at the heart of the BBC One schedule.”
The revamped Crimewatch trailed behind the Cold Feet revival in the ratings, attracting just 2.7 million viewers compared to 6.1 million for the new ITV series.
The new Crimewatch series will be telling the “inside story” of how the case was eventually solved 31 years after the heinous crime was committed.