Adrian Dunbar shares new detail from the upcoming season of Line Of Duty after ‘confirming’ show’s return

Adrian Dunbar has shared a new detail from the upcoming season of Line of Duty after teasing fans that the official announcement – ​​if it comes – will ‘burn up the internet’.

The Irish actor, 66, – who plays Chief Inspector Ted Hastings – revealed in an interview with Virgin Radio UK that his character will have a new catchphrase.

The actor explained that he had been trying to inject some classic Irish phrases into the hit BBC show since it started in 2012 and may have finally succeeded.

He told Ryan Tubridy: “The thing I haven’t gotten into, and that’s a very good Irish story about not stopping things from happening, is, ‘Don’t adjust the digger.’

“That’s a good one, isn’t it? Like, you know, “You gotta keep going.” That will happen next season.’

Some of the character’s other favorite quotes include “Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the little donkey” and his famous “There’s only one thing I’m interested in and that’s catching bent copper pieces.”

The Irish actor who plays Chief Inspector Ted Hastings has revealed that his character will have a new catchphrase. (seen with co-stars Martin Compston and Vicky McClure)

The actor explained that he had been trying to inject some classic Irish phrases into the hit BBC show since it started in 2012 and may have finally succeeded.

The detective often says: ‘Now we suck diesel!’ when he, Steve Arnott and Kate Fleming are making progress in their cases, and he is often heard saying when he introduces himself: ‘Superintendent Hastings, like the battle’.

The star also revealed that a script is in the works, but he hasn’t seen it yet and doesn’t know when it will be ready.

He told the radio host: ‘He’s writing… We don’t have a script on the desk yet. We know that Dr. Mercurio is doing something, writes Jed. But we don’t know when it will happen.’

Adrian’s revelation comes after he told Time Radio the show would be returning.

The BBC series also stars Martin Compston and Vicky McClure and revolves around the police’s Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12).

Adrian previously revealed: ‘All the signs and everything is a bit, you know, (positive), but like someone said, until the script is on the desk you can’t be 100% sure.

“So we’re all hoping that someone somewhere will make an announcement and say, yes, it’s happening. And we can take it all from there.

“I can tell you one thing: the day they announce it, the Internet will go up in flames.”

Speaking to presenters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover about the show in general, he added: ‘To ultimately create an iconic character on British television and also in an iconic TV show would have been a huge ambition of mine.

Adrian’s revelation comes after he confirmed the show would definitely return and the cast was waiting for writer Jed Mercurio to finish the script

Adrian previously revealed: ‘All the signs and everything is a bit, you know, (positive), but like someone said, until the script is on the desk you can’t be 100% sure’

“And it’s a very humbling and satisfying experience to do that. So that’s how I would describe it. It’s true, it’s something that keeps you warm when you think about it. It’s a lot of fun.’

Last week it was reported that the Line of Duty stars had reunited three years after the hit BBC show’s disappointing finale to announce details for a new series.

It’s understood Vicky, Martin and Adrian joined show creator Jed for dinner last week – and the main topic of discussion was a seventh series.

The three stars, who played tough anti-corruption officers DC Kate Fleming, DS Steve Arnott and Supt Ted, previously struggled to commit to a new series due to conflicting schedules.

According to The sun The quartet often got together for dinner after filming for the show’s sixth series, but this is the first time they’ve discussed reuniting for the hit show.

A source told the publication: ‘Jed is close to Vicky, Martin and Adrian and they often meet for dinner – this time it was different.

“A topic of discussion was how they could align their schedules in 2025 to ensure Line of Duty 7 goes ahead. The ambition is that filming can start next year and hit the screens in early 2026.’

The exciting news for fans came after Adrian previously revealed that the entire cast would be considered for a new series if given the chance.

He starred in the police drama for almost a decade before the final series ended in 2021, leaving fans disappointed with the revelation that hapless DCI Ian Buckells was the elusive criminal mastermind, H.

The BBC series, written by Jed Mercurio, also stars Martin (center) and Vicky (right) and revolves around Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12) in the police force

Last week it was reported that the Line of Duty stars had reunited three years after the hit BBC show’s disappointing finale to release details for a new series

In May he told The Times: ‘We all want it to come back. It’s fitting that today should be their day [castmates Vicky McClure and Martin Compton’s shared] birthdays because I really don’t want them to get older.

‘I don’t want to get older either, because we don’t want to come back if we’re in a wheelchair.

‘Ted Hastings with a Zimmer frame.’

Just days earlier, Vicky awkwardly dodged questions about a new series of Line Of Duty being made while appearing on This Morning.

When she appeared on the daytime TV show, presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley were keen to know if the show would ever return.

Ben said: “There will always be rumors and expectations. Do you all agree that you would be ready for Jed to get together?”

But Vicky then replied: ‘There will always be rumours. I mean, look. We’ve all said we love the show and would obviously like to go again, but there’s nothing to talk about, so it’s disappointing because there’s no news!’

Cat then joked: ‘Is no news good news? Because it’s definitely not a no…’.

Just before Adrian’s announcement, Vicky (pictured far left) awkwardly dodged questions about a new series of Line Of Duty being made when she appeared on This Morning

Vicky then started to smile and grabbed a pillow to cover herself as she added, “I’m just going to put this over my face…” as Ben and Cat burst out laughing.

Fans went wild last month after the trio reunited for a chaotic rickshaw ride through London.

The hilarious clip was posted on Instagram to the hundreds of thousands of followers of Martin, 40, and Vicky, 41, with the caption: ‘AC12 oot and aboot’ (sic).

In the video, the stars rode through the capital in a neon pink rickshaw as music from Mary Mary’s Shackles (Praise You) and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive blasted loudly from a loudspeaker.

They couldn’t keep it together and burst out laughing when Martin pulled out his phone to film the hysterical scenes and shouted: ‘We’re back!’.

Vicky, who was singing and dancing passionately to the music, said to the camera: ‘Hello everyone, we just needed a lift to a restaurant.’

“I mean, I’m trying to keep it together,” Adrian, 66, added as the BBC stars asked viewers if they had any requests.

Martin then pointed to each police car they drove past, referencing their iconic characters, shouting, “Oh the police!”

Fans went wild last month after the trio reunited for a chaotic rickshaw ride through central London

Fans loved the impromptu cast reunion and rushed to the comments of the post to demand a new season, joking, “Jesus, Mary Joseph and the little donkey, they’re all amazing!”

‘Ahhh the best threesome! I hope to see you all on our screens again one day as AC-12!’

‘We need another series guys…….’

‘The best trio of police series in the world!!! Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the donkey.’

“OMFG this is amazing, so good to see the team back together.”