Line of Duty fans shocked as James Nesbitt is introduced as a dodgy cop after top secret casting

LINE Of Duty fans were left shocked this evening as James Nesbitt was introduced as a dodgy cop after a top secret casting.

The 56-year-old actor surprised viewers when he appeared in the hit BBC drama – having claimed in February he’d been “snubbed” by creator Jed Mercurio.

The Cold Feet favourite claimed at the time he felt “galled” by the move, as the series is filmed in Northern Ireland, where he is from.

Blindsiding fans, James claimed he’d never been considered for a role in the show – recounting a meeting with Jed.

He told Radio Times earlier this year: “I said, ‘Come on, Jed, when are we going to get a chance to work together?’

“Even though Line of Duty had been shot here for years I was never considered for it, which has always slightly galled me.”

They then worked together on Jed’s drama Bloodlands.