Line of Duty’s return is ON with Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar locked in for 2026 filming

NOW we’re sucking diesel — Line of Duty is all set to return next year for a seventh series.

Its three stars — , and — have finally aligned their jam-packed diaries and will start filming a six-parter in January.

The news will thrill fans left disappointed by the limp ending of the police drama’s last series.

A TV insider said: “This is the news fans have been waiting for since the sixth season left them deflated when it aired back in 2021.

“The BBC almost immediately requested more episodes to continue the story, but the success of the show meant Vicky, Martin and Adrian were instantly snapped up for other projects.

“But after several meetings with Jed [Mercurio, creator and writer] and the production team, they’ve finally managed to clear space in their calendars next year to commit to making the show.”;

The show about a police anti-corruption squad weeding out bent coppers, has been a ratings hit for the BBC since it first aired in 2012.

Fans loved Supt Ted Hastings’ ad-libbed use of Northern Irish sayings, such as “Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey”; and “Now, we’re sucking diesel”;.

But many felt let down at the end of series six in 2021 when buffoonish Det Supt Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle) was unmasked as villain H — the elusive mastermind with links to organised .

Flying Eze exclusively revealed in 2022 that the show, which drew up to 13million viewers, would return.

But the stars have been diverted into other projects — Martin with supernatural thriller The Rig, Vicky with bomb squad drama , and Adrian with jazz singer detective show .

However, their social media feeds have recently been laden with hints a seventh series is on.

Show creator Jed has written most of the storyline for the new episodes, which will start production later this year and could air by 2026.

Speculation has also mounted over which actor will play the next crooked copper, with bookies said to be keen on , Damian Lewis or .

THE BENT COPPERS