Line of Duty's Martin Compston teases Danny Dyer would make 'great bent copper' on BBC show

Martin Compston has teased that Danny Dyer would make a 'great' addition to the cast of Line of Duty if the acclaimed show was to return sometime in the future.

The actor, 39, is best known for having played Steve Arnott on the BBC show, which followed a team of police officers in an anti-corruption unit. It ran for six seasons from 2012 to 2016 and there have since been calls for it to return. He revealed recently to the Mirror that there are "no immediate plans" for the cast to reprise their roles. Martin however has now suggested that if Line of Duty does return for new episodes then actor Danny, 46, "would be a great shout" to join them.

Ahead of competing against the former EastEnders cast member in Soccer Aid, Martin said: "[Danny] would be a great shout [as a 'bent copper' on the show]. Danny is something else, honestly, he is one of our treasures. He is a wonderful actor - it would be good to see [him] in there." Martin is a returning player in this year's Soccer Aid after having first become involved with the annual charity event in aid of UNICEF UK in 2014. He has taken part in the star-studded football match on several occasions since then.

Speaking about the experience, he said: "I do love it when I started for me it was about being able to play in these incredible stadiums and meet the icons of the game. It has changed for me over the years, I have been lucky enough to work with UNICEF and go out to see the incredible work that they do first-hand."

He further commented in the interview about the upcoming event, due to be held in June: "I really do see the difference this game makes, it literally saves lives so with that it has changed for me. I mean I still want to win that's for sure." Martin previously played for Aberdeen F.C.'s youth squad as a teenager before signing with Greenock Morton F.C. prior to his acting career. He's said to have teased that he hopes his experience will help on the pitch.

He said: "When I first started doing Soccer Aid I wasn't far off being one of the youngest. Now I am one of the oldest. I love the training, that is the treat for someone like me. The fact you get to train for a couple of days and train with these absolute icons. We are always well aware of why we are here but it is a cracking couple of days in the lead-up."

Martin added that he's feeling nervous ahead of the game later this year but teased that when training begins it's like "having a kickabout with your friends". He said: "You always get a bit nervous, you get scared as you know these places are sought after - everyone is desperate to play. Once it has been announced, we all get a bit giddy. It is like being school kids again, I have made some great friendships over the years. It is like going for a kickabout with your friends."

Soccer Aid for Unicef 2024 takes place on June 9 at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge. Tickets are available at www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.