Series 6 of Jed Mercurio's excellent police drama starts this weekend, with the anti-corruption unit joined by a new member.

LOD is in a virus-free world, although the filming last year (mainly in Belfast) was seriously curtailed by Covid.

An international success - exported to numerous countries - LOD is, perhaps, the finest crime drama ever on UK television.

We still have no idea who 'H' - the Godfather of corruption and skulduggery, within the force - but we may, in episode 7.

I can't wait! Love LOD.

Ditto though I fear Martin has grown a silly beard.

Episode one was a reasonable start - although the preponderance of police acronyms was confusing and distracting.

Most viewers barely know what SOCO is - but to be constantly faced this jargon is off-putting and affects concentration.

I couldn't help thinking that the acting was pretty poor in some quarters; but of course it will become totally gripping no doubt by epidode 3!

Yes oddly ordinary unlike the usual but still good. Roll on Episode 2.

Who do you agree with: Jed Mercurio or Jim Gamble?

Line of Duty creator defends use of 'local oddball' to describe man with Down’s syndrome

Jed Mercurio has been criticised over a line spoken by Ted Hastings, the lead character, but argues the term was inspired by a real event

The creator of Line of Duty has been forced to defend his show after a character used the term "local oddball" to describe a man with Down’s syndrome.

Jed Mercurio was taken to task by viewers including Jim Gamble, formerly one of Britain’s most senior police officers, for the derogatory remark.

The line was spoken by Ted Hastings, the drama’s lead character and an anti-corruption officer in charge of professional standards, about the suspect in a murder inquiry.

The storyline has shades of the Jill Dando case: a television journalist is shot dead in what looks like a professional hit, and police arrest a man with learning difficulties (played by Tommy Jessop) who appears to be obsessed with the victim.

Jim Gamble, former deputy director-general of the National Crime Squad, was among the viewers who criticised Mr Mercurio, and pointed out that the BBC One episode was broadcast on World Down Syndrome Day.

He said the phrase would have no place in modern policing, a view that Mr Mercurio dismissed as “rose-tinted”.

The row overshadowed the return of the show which drew an audience of 9.56 million, making it the most watched drama episode since the finale of Bodyguard in 2018.

Gamble wrote on social media: “Especially on the day that it is, but also on any day, the script writer of Line of Duty needs to reflect on the line referring to a suspect with special needs as the local oddball.”

Mr Mercurio, who has a reputation for taking on his critics, replied that he was inspired by the Dando case and a claim by Barry George, the chief suspect, that police had viewed him as “the local oddball”.

Mr Gamble responded: “You are wrong on this and would be best just to admit that. This was the Supt in charge of Prof[essional] standards, not a suspect referring to themselves. If you want your lead to be seen as crass and offensive this is the way to go.”

He advised Mr Mercurio to speak to “people who’ve worked in policing and with vulnerable people and see what they think about connotation in this context”.

But Mr Mercurio hit back: “‘Oddball’ has no connotation for learning difficulties. It describes a loner, an eccentric. It’s an equally fitting description for someone like Christopher Jefferies. The drama is using the term to refer to the Dando case, not to learning difficulties.

“We work with numerous police advisers. Line of Duty portrays policing with some of its failings. The officer in question doesn’t work with vulnerable people and hadn’t met the suspect. The ones dealing with the suspect used different, more appropriate language.

“I’m not sure if you’re saying no police officer would use that term (some would, and way, way worse) or that TV drama can’t use a term that, for the reasons I’ve explained, just doesn’t have the intended connotation you’ve subjectively attributed.”

Mr Gamble continued, saying that usage of the term “was foolish to say the least and shows an utter lack of understanding. If you’re saying the head of professional standards would say that, you need new police advisers.”

Mr Mercurio answered: “OK, Jim, you keep up your rose-tinted view of policing. The events of the last week was [sic] clearly just a mass delusion. Bye.”

A spokesperson for the Down’s Syndrome Association said: “The most important part of Line of Duty was that one of the main characters in the drama has Down’s syndrome.

"Tommy Jessop, who played the part of Terry Boyle, has a very impressive CV and has been recognised by BAFTA for his skills as an actor. To have a main character who has Down’s syndrome in such a primetime programme is fantastic to see.

“Some people have contacted us who were concerned about the language used by another character in the drama. The reality is that people who have Down’s syndrome sometimes do experience hurtful language and we all have a responsibility to speak up when we witness this. It’s important that we all continue our efforts for greater inclusion and acceptance.”

I think Mercurio probably put the line in to deliberately get the publicity/stoke some controversy; he is surely too savvy for it to have been an accident. But fictional characters need to reflect a state of imperfection - i.e the world - or they become just cyphers for idealistic propaganda. Which apart from anything else makes for very dull viewing!

Wyot wrote:
I think Mercurio probably put the line in to deliberately get the publicity/stoke some controversy; he is surely too savvy for it to have been an accident. But fictional characters need to reflect a state of imperfection - i.e the world - or they become just cyphers for idealistic propaganda. Which apart from anything else makes for very dull viewing!

Political correctness is retarded.

I’m glad I don’t watch TV,