Vigil’s Martin Compston has hilarious response to finale backlash as he locks horns with fan on Twitter

A TWITTER user has regretted offering actor Martin Compston some unsolicited career advice. 

Following the divisive ending of BBC One’s submarine drama Vigil on Sunday night, one viewer took it upon themselves to give Martin Compston some feedback.

“So that’s #vigil and #lineofduty that had really crap endings, choose the next series wisely @martincompston you don’t want to make it a hat tric” [sic] wrote @KernowDeej

Greenock-born actor Martin, 37, had a hilarious response, writing: "I know Dave pal I've made an arse of it. One the biggest new drama[s] of the year the other biggest drama of the year/century. Agents for the sack." 

Martin’s sassy reply is backed up by the facts. The BBC Press Office confirmed: "Episode one of Vigil has attracted an audience of 10.2 million viewers across its first seven days, making it the BBC's most watched new drama of the year so far." 

Meanwhile, the sixth and final series of Line of Duty, which co-starred Martin as DS Steve Arnott, drew an average audience of 12.8 million viewers for its final episode. 

Although Martin was billed as one of Vigil’s lead cast members, he had very little screen time as his character, Chief Petty Officer Craig Burke, was killed off early in episode one. 

But with Burke’s murder being essential to the plot, Martin then appeared in flashbacks and in recorded video footage. 

Meanwhile, other Twitter users played along with Martin’s reply on Twitter. 

One wrote: “@martin_compston must be absolutely gutted that, despite being in two of the most successful shows in the last few years that David didn’t rate the endings.

"I would imagine that he will retire from acting forthwith and retrain as an HGV driver. We certainly need them right now."

Vigil is available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer now.