Line of Duty’s Martin Compston jokes he’s off to buy more waistcoats

He is famous for his smart waistcoats which he wears on every episode of Line of Duty.

And Martin Compston joked that he was on his way to buy some more of his favourite item of clothing after non-essential shops reopened on Wednesday.

The actor, 36, shared a snap of himself in action as his character Detective Inspector Steve Arnott as he was running during a tense scene and joked he was off to buy more waistcoats. 

He also teased that next week’s episode of Line of Duty will be even more tense than the last saying viewers will ‘need therapy by the end of Ep5’.

Writing in the caption he joked: ‘Episode 5 kicks off as stores re-open and there’s a sale on waistcoats. In all seriousness though if you thought Ep 4 ended on a cliffhanger, you’ll need therapy by the end of Ep5’.

Last week’s drama-filled episode left viewers scrambling to guess who Jo Davidson’s DNA match was after traces were found at her former lover Farida Jatri’s home. 

It comes after a major Line Of Duty spoiler was leaked on Tuesday night by one of the BBC‘s websites.

BBC Maestro inadvertently uploaded a post revealing a brand new character and a key plot twist, which is thought to transpire in the forthcoming next episode of the current sixth season.

The website – which is a hub for budding screenwriters – shared a photo of the new character on a database. 

AC-12’s Det Insp Steve Arnott, played by Martin, was seen scrutinizing the image.

A scene featuring the character was even shown, before it was removed.

The Sun contacted creator and writer of Line Of Duty Jed Mercurio, who told them: ‘The outstanding detective work of eagle-eyed Line Of Duty fans has been awarded a glowing commendation from the gaffer himself, Supt Ted Hastings. Their call-up papers for AC-12 are in the post!’

This jovial response to the incident suggests the leak was nothing too drastic. 

But a source also told The Sun: ‘This is an embarrassing and humiliating blunder. A lot of time and effort had gone into keeping the star’s role a secret.

‘Line of Duty goes to a lot of trouble making sure nothing gets out to ruin the surprise for viewers — but the BBC has shot itself in the foot on this and broken its own embargo.’

This follows the news that another star will return to the show this weekend, in the form of series five scene-stealer DCS Patricia Carmichael.

DCS Carmichael, played by BAFTA award winner Anna Maxwell Martin, will appear from Sunday’s episode of the police show.

Fans will remember the experienced anti-corruption officer from the previous series, when she was brought in as an independent investigator from AC-3 after suspicions mounted over the integrity of Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar). 

Little is known about her return to the show, but it coincides with Superintendent Hastings’ forced retirement, suggesting she is looking to oversee the new restructure of the anti-corruption units.

Although she works in anti-corruption, there has also been speculation that DCS Carmichael could be the elusive fourth ‘H’.