Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure offered ‘dream deal’ in bid to make her one of ITV’s big new stars

SHE'S helped the BBC deliver one of their most successful thrillers, now ITV could be set to snap Vicky McClure up as one of their big names.

The Line of Duty star, who's played DI Kate Fleming on the show for the past nine years, has signed a dream deal with ITV to make her own drama, currently titled Redemption.

Vicky will not only star in the drama but also co-produce it in conjunction with the creators of The Crown, Left Bank Pictures, and will even be filmed in her home city of Nottingham.

It comes after Line of Duty won the Returning Drama and Special Recognition award at this week’s National Television awards.

But Vicky missed out on the Drama Performance gong she was nominated for alongside her co-stars Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar, who play DI Steve Arnott and Supt Ted Hastings respectively.

They all lost though, with the gong eventually going to David Tennant for his role as serial killer Dennis Nilsen in ITV’s Des.

Vicky returned in series six of Line of Duty which pulled in 12.8 million viewers making it the most-watched episode of a drama since records began in 2002. 

That contributed to the NTAs awarding them the Special Recognition accolade - the first time it's gone to a show rather than an individual.

Vicky is already signed up for six-part thriller Trigger Point for ITV. It's another police drama from the same team behind Line of Duty, where she plays a member of the Metropolitan Police's bomb disposal unit.

Looks like she’s going to arrive at ITV with a bang.

Chris on song as outlaw

HE’S known for playing a Bond film baddie, she’s remembered for being a period drama beauty.

But Christopher Walken, villainous Max Zorin in 007 flick A View To A Kill, and Eleanor Tomlinson, Demelza in Poldark, couldn’t look more different in The Outlaws.

In Stephen Merchant’s new show the pair join a star-studded cast playing petty criminals doing community payback in Bristol.

Christopher is seen singing and dancing as Frank while Eleanor plays social media influencer Gabby, in the six-parter, out next month on BBC1.

Jamie: My kid hates my food

CHEFS often have to deal with people slating their cuisine in their restaurants – but Jamie Oliver's harshest critic was much closer to home.

The Naked Chef has told how one of his brood of five kept moaning about the meals he served up while filming his Keep Cooking And Carry On TV series during lockdown.

On the Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, he said: “My youngest son River, who’s now five, was four at the time and he’s got such an amazing personality.

“But every time I cook food he tells me how disgusting it is. He’ll say: ‘I hate it, I don’t like it, it’s disgusting, I never said I’d have that.’

“He’s like the worst customer ever. We had 16 hours to turn the show around every day. At the end I was getting so much abuse from my four-year-old it nearly broke me twice.”

He’s lucky he didn’t have to eat my mum’s food.

Anxiety over sex for ASA

AS Otis Milburn in Netflix comedy Sex Education, he has to deal with the strain of his therapist mum talking about steamy subjects.

But in real life, actor Asa Butterfield is just as anxious about starring in the hugely successful show, even though it is in its third series.

On the latest Headstrong podcast, out today, he said: “The night before the first day on set, I always get super nervous and I often hardly sleep. I’ve been on so many sets, but there’s something about it.”

On juggling acting with school when he was younger, Asa said: “It’s strange. You will be on set, come off and do a maths test, and then be back on set an hour later.”

Sex Education returns on Friday.

Anjli tips Vigil sequel

NICE to see Vigil star Anjil Mohindra confirming my exclusive that the BBC is discussing a sequel.

Speaking to radiotimes.com the actress – who plays medical officer Tiffany Docherty – revealed talks were taking place for a second series of the submarine whodunnit, starring Suranne Jones.

Anjli added: “There’s stuff on the horizon, but nothing confirmed yet.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Beeb announced Vigil 2 the moment this debut series has ended.