Line Of Duty fans panic as three characters are missing from cast list – including Kate Fleming

LINE of Duty fans are panicking after spotting Vicky McClure is missing from the episode six cast list after a cliffhanger shoot-out.

Sunday's episode of the BBC crime drama ended with Vicky's character DI Kate Fleming and evil cop PC Ryan Pilkington in an armed stand-off.

Before the credits rolled, gun shots were heard, but viewers had no idea who pulled the trigger, leaving fans desperate to know Kate's fate.

They have been left concerned after one eagle-eyed viewer noticed Vicky's name is missing from the cast list of the next episode.

Her name wasn't the only one absent from the list though, as Kelly Macdonald, who plays corrupt cop DSI Joanne Davidson, and Gregory Piper, who plays Ryan, are also missing.

It's extremely unlikely all three characters wouldn't feature at all in episode six, so it looks like creator Jed Mercurio is doing everything he can to keep fans guessing.

However, a now deleted trailer which was released ahead of series six's first episode showed Kate and Jo holding their hands up in a scene which is yet to air.

That would suggest that both officers are still alive in the next episode.

Meanwhile Adrian Dunbar, who plays Supt Ted Hastings, whipped fans into a frenzy by suggesting there was a clue to who survives.

On Good Morning Britain earlier this week, Adrian teased: “I know and a lot of Line Of Duty fans know. All will be revealed in the fullness of time — there’s been a very big clue.”

Devotees believe he is referring to Kate wearing a distinctive jumper in AC-12’s interrogation room in the trailer for the hit crime show’s current outing.

The fact the scene has yet to feature in series six suggests she survived the “duel”.

Line of Duty continues on Sunday, April 25 at 9pm on BBC One.