Line of Duty star reveals Ted Hastings’ latest catchphrase if new series gets green light

The Co Fermanagh actor is addressing recent media rumors that the show, filmed in Belfast, will return for a seventh series.

Created by Jed Mercurio, Line of Duty last aired in May 2021 as Ted Hastings and the AC-12 anti-corruption team uncover the identity of the ‘Fourth Man’ and derail corruption within the force.

The Enniskillen man’s character is famous for many of his typically Northern Irish sayings from the series and has since become a mainstay of popular culture both in real life and on social media.

Although he revealed today that there is another one in the works that he wants to include in the script of the series and that he hopes it will appear when the next series is given the green light.

Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK this morning, the 66-year-old said: “What I don’t agree with is a really good Irish saying about not stopping what’s going on: ‘Diversionary digger.’

“Don’t stall the digger. That’s a good idea, right? Like, you know: ‘You’ve got to keep going.’

“That will happen next season.”

Rumors have been swirling in recent weeks that a new series is on the horizon and Dunbar has done little to stop the suggestions, saying on ITV’s Lorraine yesterday: “We don’t want to anger the British public about this indefinitely. “We want it to happen, everyone does, so let’s make it happen, but it just depends on when.”

“There is more than a little hope.

“It just depends on when all the stars align, and of course Jed has to write it.”

It comes after Dunbar struck a chord with many fans of the show when she was spotted in London last month with fellow stars Martin Compston, who plays DI Steve Arnott in the soap, and Vicky McClure, who plays DI Kate Fleming.

Compston, who shared a video in a rickshaw in the city at the time, can be heard joking at one point in the clip: “We’re back.”

Discussing the video on his show this morning, Ryan Tubridy asked: “So if he’s writing a series and you’re meeting up for curry, singing and tuk tuks, I think next season will be on the way.”

The Northern Irish actor replied: “There’s something going on, isn’t there? I think it’s fair to say that.

The man had no idea who we were. I could see him looking around and thinking: ‘Why is everyone looking at these people?’

“We met up for a curry like we normally do and chatted a bit with Jed and the others. We laugh every time we meet, we can’t help it. She just gets hysterical. It’s just one of those things where three people who know each other very well come together (get together).

“The guy was walking around and kept turning around and saying, ‘What’s going on?’ he thought. Why are people on the street stopping?’”