'When the gaffer's away' - 'Line Of Duty' stars lark about in behind the scenes snaps

Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio has shared hilarious images of Martin Compston and Vicky McClure larking around in Superintendent Hastings’ office, joking that they wouldn’t dare do it if the gaffer was in.

The hit BBC drama about a police anti-corruption squad is returning for a sixth series, after filming was forced to halt mid-season due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown.

Ramping up the excitement ahead of its return, creator Mercurio has tweeted a series of snaps from behind the scenes.

Watch: Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio says there's more pressure writing a second series

Read more: Vicky McClure shares Line Of Duty lockdown reunion

One shows McClure (who plays Detective Inspector Kate Fleming) with her feet propped on her boss Superintendent Ted Hastings’ (Adrian Dunbar) table, while one shows Compston, who stars as Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott, striking a comical pose.

Another shows the pair sharing a laugh in Hastings’ office.

Dunbar is not in the pictures and Mercurio joked: “When the cat’s away... they wouldn’t dare if the Gaffer was in.”

The last series of Line Of Duty saw Stephen Graham star as DS John Corbett, an undercover police officer who was investigated by AC-12, and the identity of the elusive ‘H’ - the corrupt police officer and crime lord - again went undetected

Fans have been eagerly waiting for any news about the show’s sixth season.

Read more: Line Of Duty stars announced for Celebrity Gogglebox special

And it sounds as if it will be worth the wait, with Compston recently divulging that there is a "massive bombshell" in store for viewers.

The new series will premiere on BBC One in 2021.

Watch: Adrian Dunbar loves chatting to police officers about Line Of Duty