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

The Irish actor, 66, – who plays Superintendent 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 sneak in some classic Irish phrases into the hit BBC show since it started in 2012 and he may have finally managed it.

He told  Ryan Tubridy: ‘The one I didn’t get in, which is kind of a really good Irish one about not stopping things happening is, “Don’t stall the digger”. 

‘That’s a good one, isn’t it? Like, you know, “You’ve got to keep going'” That’s going in the next season.’

Some of the character’s other much loved phrases include ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey’ and his famous ‘There’s only one thing I’m interested in and that is catching bent coppers.’

Adrian Dunbar, 66, has shared a new detail from the upcoming season of Line of Duty after teasing fans that the official announcement – when it comes – will ‘burn up the internet’ 

The Irish actor who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings 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 sneak in some classic Irish phrases into the hit BBC show since it started in 2012 and he may have finally managed it 

The detective often uses ‘Now we’re sucking diesel!’ when he, Steve Arnott and Kate Fleming make progress on their cases and one he is often heard saying when he introduces himself is: ‘Superintendent Hastings, like the battle’.

The star also revealed that a script is being worked on but he hasn’t seen it yet and doesn’t know when it will be finished. 

He told the radio host: ‘He is writing… We haven’t got a script on the desk yet. We know that Dr. Mercurio is out there doing something, Jed is writing. But as to when it’s going to happen, we don’t know.’

Adrian’s revelation comes after he told Time Radio the show was coming back. 

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

Adrian previously revealed: ‘All the signals and everything is kind of, you know, (positive) but as somebody said, until the script hits 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 all take it from there. 

‘I can tell you one thing…the day they announce it, it’s going to burn up the internet.’

Speaking to hosts Jane Garvey and Fi Glover about the show in general, he added: ‘To end up creating what is an iconic character on British television and also within an iconic TV show would have been a huge ambition of mine. 

Adrian’s revelation comes after he confirmed the show was definitely coming back and the cast were just waiting on writer Jed Mercurio to finish the script

Adrian previously revealed: ‘All the signals and everything is kind of, you know, (positive) but as somebody said, until the script hits the desk you can’t be 100% sure’ 

‘And so to do it is a very humbling and very satisfying experience. So that’s how I’d describe it. It’s been, it’s something that kind of when you think about it keeps you warm. It’s very, very nice.’ 

Last week it was reported that the Line of Duty stars had reunited three years after the underwhelming finale of the hit BBC show to thrash out details for another new series.  

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

Read More Line of Duty stars reunite three years after ‘underwhelming’ finale as they ‘thrash out’ details for a seventh series of hit police drama after busy schedules derailed plans

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

According to The Sun the quartet often met up for dinner after filming for the sixth series of the show wrapped but this is the first time they discussed reuniting for the hit show. 

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

‘A topic of conversation was how they could align their schedules in 2025 to ensure Line of Duty 7 happens. The ambition is filming could start next year, with it on screens by early 2026.’

The exciting news for fans came after Adrian previously revealed the entire cast would be up for another series if they were given the opportunity. 

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 Jed Mercurio written BBC series also stars Martin (centre) 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 underwhelming finale of the hit BBC show to thrash out details for another new series

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

‘I don’t want to get any older either because we don’t want to be coming back when we’re in a wheelchair.

‘Ted Hastings with a Zimmer frame.’

Just days earlier, Vicky awkwardly dodged questioning about another series of Line Of Duty being made as she appeared on This Morning.

As she appeared on the daytime TV show hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley were keen to know if the show would ever be back.

Ben said: ‘There’s always going to be rumours and expectations, have you all agreed that you’d be ready and up for it when Jed gets himself together?’

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

Cat then quipped: ‘Well is no news good news? Because it’s definitely not a no…’.

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

Vicky then started smiling and picked up a cushion to cover herself as she added: ‘I’m just going to put this over my face…’, as Ben and Cat burst into laughter.

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

Read More Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar ‘CONFIRMS’ show’s return and teases fans about upcoming announcement

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

In the video, the stars cruised around the capital in a neon pink rickshaw, with music including Shackles (Praise You) by Mary Mary and I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor blasting loudly on a speaker.

They couldn’t keep it together and erupted into fits of laughter as Martin pulled out his phone to film the hysterical scenes, shouting: ‘We’re back!’.

Vicky, who was pᴀssionately singing and dancing along to the music, told the camera: ‘Hi everyone, we just needed a ride to a restaurant.’

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

Martin went on to point out every police car they drove past, in reference to their iconic characters, as he shouted: ‘Oh the police!’

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

Loving the spontaneous cast reunion, fans rushed to the comments of the post to demand a new season, quipping: ‘Jesus, Mary Joseph and the wee donkey they’re all oot!’

‘Ahhh the best trio! Hope to see you all back on our screens as AC-12 one day!’

‘We need another series guys…….’

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

‘OMFG this is a amazing so good to see the team back together.’