Line of Duty latest updates – Steve Arnott actor Martin Compston says he 'understands' why people hated the finale

DISAPPOINTED Line of Duty fans say they are unconvinced by the series six finale unveiling of Ian Buckells as the elusive "H".

Meanwhile the show's top stars -including Ted Hastings actor Adrian Dunbar have all vowed to get matching AC-12 tattoos.

Martin Compston, who plays Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming actress Vicky McClure, 37, writer Jed Mercurio and Dunbar all agreed to the pact after the finale of season six on Sunday.

Compston revealed on social media that the actors and series creator Mercurio had made a pact to get "AC12million" tattoos should viewer numbers reach the milestone.

"Myself, Vicky, Adrian and Jed made an agreement in the inconceivable and ridiculous scenario we ever got twelve million viewers we would get 'AC12million' tattoos. We'll see who's good to their word…"

Follow our Line of Duty live blog for the latest updates…

  • Patrick Knox

    FINISH LINE

    The Line Of Duty finale landed a record 12.8 million viewers – making it the most watched drama episode since records began.

    The incredible finale managed to rack in 56.2% of the UK’s TV audience on Sunday night.

    However, figures are likely to be even higher, as even more people are likely to watch it on iPlayer.

  • Patrick Knox

    WHAT HAPPENED IN LINE OF DUTY’SFINALE?

    There was no huge conspiracy to control the police – there was just one over-promoted, under-talented and incredibly greedy man – Ian Buckells

    He used his police knowledge and dodgy connections to link up all the other corrupt officers – and make millions doing so.

    While living in his normal semi-detached with his family, Buckells was a bungling detective inspector.

    But when he was acting as H he was living it up in a three million pound mansion – and ordering hits on his enemies.

    His cover was so secure that even the officers he controlled didn’t know who he was – which is why Jo Davidson framed him.

  • Patrick Knox

    CHLOE BISHOP IS LINE OF DUTY’S UNSUNG HERO, SAYS FANS

    While the AC-12 did finally catch criminal mastermind H, there is a real hero in the division – and fans want justice.

    Chloe Bishop was instrumental in uncovering the identity of H as Ian Buckells.

    But fans want recognition for her, with one person saying: “Chloe watching on as the team go off to the pub to celebrate when it was all her work that did it. Mate.”

  • Patrick Knox

    ‘H’ ACTOR HAD TO KEEP IDENTITY SECRET FOR A YEAR

    Nigel Boyle – who played Ian Buckells – revealed he had to keep H’s identity a secret for a YEAR.

    He also said show creator Jed Mercurio texted him before the scripts arrived to warn there was something big.

    But the worst part – he had to keep it a secret during lockdown.

  • Patrick Knox

    LINE OF DUTY: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT SEASON SEVEN

    BBC star Giles Coren sparked Line of Duty series seven rumours by claiming a friend has already been cast in it, according to reports.

    In a now deleted tweet seen by the Mail, food critic Giles seemingly let slip the recruitment drive for more episodes is already in full swing.

    His post read: “A friend of mine was cast in series 7 last week. There’s no secret.” 

    The BBC has yet to confirm or deny if a new series is in the works, but with the finale pulling in an average of 12.8million viewers, it is surely an attractive proposition.

  • Patrick Knox

    ACTOR NIGEL BOYLE DEFENDS LINE OF DUTY SERIES SIX FINALE

    Line of Duty star Nigel Boyle has defended the series six finale after fans labelled it a “disappointment”.

    The DSU Ian Buckells star told BBC Breakfast: “The fans have been brilliant, so many people have invested so much.

    “There’s always going to be some element of disappointment. You can’t have every series with a big shoot out and ‘urgent exit required’.

    “Sometimes a subtler message is more important.”

  • Patrick Knox

    H CLUE

    Line on Duty creator Jed Mercurio said he left a clue about ‘The Fourth Man’ all the way back in series one.

    The nation finally learnt the identity of H as 12.8 million viewers tuned in to the Line of Duty final episode last Sunday.

    Speaking on the Obsessed with… Line of Duty podcast, it was revealed there was a clue that no one remembered.

    The clue was that Buckle let the caddy talk to Tummy Hunter in the back of a van alone – showing he was dodgy.

  • Abe Hawken

    'NO SECRET'

    BBC star Giles Coren sparked Line of Duty series seven rumours by claiming a friend has already been cast in it, according to reports.

    In a now deleted tweet seen by the Mail, food critic Giles seemingly let slip the recruitment drive for more episodes is already in full swing.

    His post read: "A friend of mine was cast in series 7 last week. There’s no secret." 

  • Abe Hawken

    OH CHLO

    Line Of Duty fans weren't only up in arms about an underwhelming series finale – they're fighting the corner of DC Chloe Bishop, too.

    Initially, some viewers believed it was Chloe, played by Shalom Brune-Franklin, who was the double agent but this quickly switched to sympathy for the character after she played a key role in solving the mystery.

    Erron Gordon, series director of GMB, took to Twitter to write: "To summarise; Chloe managed to crack the whole thing without even breaking a sweat.

    "She did it in one season and she still didn’t even get invited to the pub ‘mate’."

    Another BBC viewer agreed, and put: "Chloe deserves a promotion. She solved the whole thing."

  • Abe Hawken

    A BITT MORE?

    Line Of Duty's dedicated fanbase have drawn on James Nesbitt's "pointless" cameo as proof a seventh season is in the making.

    Question marks remain over whether Jed Mercurio's hit BBC drama will continue, with many viewers left disappointed over what they believed to be a lacklustre series six finale.

    Fans certainly think so, and have taken to Twitter in their droves to speculate on more to come.

    One wrote: "I'm still convinced there’s another series, because I refuse to believe James Nesbitt got paid just for being in two photographs and wearing a wig."

  • Joseph Gamp

    FANS DO NOT BELIEVE IAN BUCKELLS IS ACTUALLY ‘H’

    Fans are unconvinced Ian Buckells is actually H and have pointed to his smirk in the final scenes as proof.

    The hapless detective was revealed as criminal mastermind H after his dodgy spelling implicated him in a series of corrupt and violent crimes.

    One viewer to write on Twitter: “I don’t think this is the last series. That smirk of Buckells at the end! And we don’t even know how Ted, Kate and Steve are going to continue with their lives.

    “I don’t think Bucklles is H. And I still don’t believe that Carl Banks killed Gail Vella.”

    Another posted: “Someone’s pulling the strings and this whole thing is much bigger than Buckells – the smirk on his face in the final shot shows it !!!”

  • Joseph Gamp

    LINE OF DUTY FANS ARE TORN OVER THAT CONTROVERSIAL SERIES FINALE AS “H” IS FINALLY UNMASKED

    IT’S had us all playing detective for seven weeks – and after Sunday’s Line of Duty, many fans are still trying to work something out.

    How did it all go so wrong?

    The nation has been gripped by series 6 and the hunt for “H” or “the fourth man,” the bent copper lurking amongst the fictional crime drama who was in league with the OCG (Organised Crime Gang).

    And Mother of God, it wasn’t who we were expecting.

    Even our AC-12 heroes, Superintendent Ted Hastings, Detective Inspector Kate Fleming and Detective Inspector Steve Arnott couldn’t believe the top villain was, in fact, chief plonker, DSI Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle.

  • Joseph Gamp

    NICOLA STURGEON TALKS ABOUT LINE OF DUTY, TURNING 50 AND HOW COVID HAS AFFECTED HER

    Nicola Sturgeon talks about Line of Duty, turning 50 and how Covid has affected her

  • Joseph Gamp

    11 BEST LINE OF DUTY QUOTES FROM SUPERINTENDENT TED HASTINGS

    TED HASTINGS has become a fan favourite on Line of Duty thanks to his amazing one-liners.

    Here are 11 of the very best from the beloved superintendent, played by Adrian Dunbar…

    Read more here.

  • Joseph Gamp

    FANS DO NOT BELIEVE BUCKELLS IS ACTUALLY 'H'

    Fans are unconvinced Ian Buckells is actually H and have pointed to his smirk in the final scenes as proof.

    The hapless detective was revealed as criminal mastermind H after his dodgy spelling implicated him in a series of corrupt and violent crimes.

    One viewer to write on Twitter: “I don’t think this is the last series. That smirk of Buckells at the end! And we don’t even know how Ted, Kate and Steve are going to continue with their lives.

    "I don’t think Bucklles is H. And I still don’t believe that Carl Banks killed Gail Vella.”

    Another posted: “Someone’s pulling the strings and this whole thing is much bigger than Buckells – the smirk on his face in the final shot shows it !!!”

  • Joseph Gamp

    IN OTHER NEWS…

    Did anyone else know that DCI Steve Arnott was actually Scottish?

    Fans were obsessed with his dreamy accent on Jonathan Ross last night.

    The hot cop is played by Martin Compson.

    And before you ask, he’s off the market with a super hot wife.

    Ahh well.

  • Joseph Gamp

    ACTOR NIGEL BOYLE DEFENDS LINE OF DUTY SERIES SIX FINALE

    Line of Duty star Nigel Boyle has defended the series six finale after fans labelled it a “disappointment”.

    The DSU Ian Buckells star told BBC Breakfast: “The fans have been brilliant, so many people have invested so much.

    “There’s always going to be some element of disappointment. You can’t have every series with a big shoot out and ‘urgent exit required’.

    "Sometimes a subtler message is more important.”

  • Joseph Gamp

    LINE OF DUTY'S VICKY MCCLURE USED TO HANG OUT WITH MADONNA

    DCI Kate Fleming had quite a colourful history before she signed up to the biggest crime drama on TV.

    Vicky McClure only used to hang out with the queen of pop, Madge.

    She even flew on her private jet when she starred in Madonna’s 2008 film Filth and Wisdom.

  • Joseph Gamp

    LINE OF DUTY: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT SEASON SEVEN

    BBC star Giles Coren sparked Line of Duty series seven rumours by claiming a friend has already been cast in it, according to reports.

    In a now deleted tweet seen by the Mail, food critic Giles seemingly let slip the recruitment drive for more episodes is already in full swing.

    His post read: “A friend of mine was cast in series 7 last week. There’s no secret.” 

    The BBC has yet to confirm or deny if a new series is in the works, but with the finale pulling in an average of 12.8million viewers, it is surely an attractive proposition.

  • Joseph Gamp

    WATCH: KATE GARRAWAY THOUGHT LINE OF DUTY FINALE WAS 'DISAPPOINTING'

    Kate Garraway calls Line Of Duty ending ‘disappointing’

  • Joseph Gamp

    LINE OF DUTY FANS ARE TORN OVER THAT CONTROVERSIAL SERIES FINALE AS “H” IS FINALLY UNMASKED

    IT'S had us all playing detective for seven weeks – and after Sunday's Line of Duty, many fans are still trying to work something out.

    How did it all go so wrong?

    The nation has been gripped by series 6 and the hunt for "H" or "the fourth man," the bent copper lurking amongst the fictional crime drama who was in league with the OCG (Organised Crime Gang).

    And Mother of God, it wasn't who we were expecting.

    Even our AC-12 heroes, Superintendent Ted Hastings, Detective Inspector Kate Fleming and Detective Inspector Steve Arnott couldn't believe the top villain was, in fact, chief plonker, DSI Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle.

  • Joseph Gamp

    11 BEST LINE OF DUTY QUOTES FROM SUPERINTENDENT TED HASTINGS

    TED HASTINGS has become a fan favourite on Line of Duty thanks to his amazing one-liners.

    Here are 11 of the very best from the beloved superintendent, played by Adrian Dunbar…

    Read more here.

  • Joseph Gamp

    WHAT HAPPENED IN LINE OF DUTY’S NAIL-BITING FINALE?

    There was no huge conspiracy to control the police – there was just one over-promoted, under-talented and incredibly greedy man – Ian Buckells

    He used his police knowledge and dodgy connections to link up all the other corrupt officers – and make millions doing so.

    While living in his normal semi-detached with his family, Buckells was a bungling detective inspector.

    But when he was acting as H he was living it up in a three million pound mansion – and ordering hits on his enemies.

    His cover was so secure that even the officers he controlled didn’t know who he was – which is why Jo Davidson framed him.

  • Joseph Gamp

    WATCH: SHERISE BLACKMAN STARS AS RUBY JONES IN BBC SERIES LINE OF DUTY

    Sherise Blackman stars as Ruby Jones in the hit BBC series Line of Duty

  • Joseph Gamp

    LINE OF DUTY STAR SLAMS POLICE

    A Line of Duty star has slammed cops for not fully investigating after three men tried to abduct her 11-year-old son on his way home from school.

    Sherise Blackman said he was taking a different route home on Friday after his bus was diverted in Beckenham, before a black van pulled up next to him.

    A man in the vehicle asked him where he was going and offered him a lift home. The boy realised he was in danger and turned to rush home, but spotted two hooded men appear and start to follow him.

    Police interviewed the teen after he got home safely but were unable to identify any suspects, leaving the mum “very dissatisfied”.

    The probe was closed due to no further evidence, with Sherise saying she felt like the officers were “trying to fob it off”.

    Source: Read Full Article