Line of Duty must return to unmask the REAL criminal mastermind ‘H’ – but another series could kill the show forever

THE only thing worse than the inevitable end of a brilliantly addictive TV series? Being bitterly disappointed by the hyped-up finale that fails to deliver.

For me, Line of Duty was a must-watch from its launch on BBC Two in 2014 before a 'promotion' to BBC One where it last aired in 2021.

Despite being advertised as its sixth and final series, there's now convincing talk of a seventh AC-12 chapter following the recent reunion of its lead stars Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston.

Why? Because its highly-anticipated finale that promised the nation a jaw-dropping conclusion turned out to be a massive flop.

Now, writer Jed Mercurio looks set to give it another go by delivering a new (and hopefully, improved) ending - and for the Mother of God, it is his DUTY.

But this daring move comes at a HUGE risk.

Viewers were gripped by the fast-paced police corruption drama right until the end - convinced by red-herrings that the beloved Superintendent Ted Hastings could be the criminal mastermind 'H'.

It transpired however, that the crooked cop was none other than the hapless Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells, who'd been right under our nose this whole time.

The underwhelming reveal of a character (already in jail) who no one cared about fell flat - and fans were left dissatisfied.

Of course, the apparent meaning behind the unmasking was well meant - the system's failing allowed Buckells to rise to the top.

It didn't touch the sides for loyal fans however, with Supt Hastings actor Ted later backing down on Buckells, telling Radio Times: “He’s not ‘H’.

"We just got the guy we could actually pin a charge on. We didn’t get ‘H’, we got Buckells, the patsy.

"There’s a scene when we look at each other and think, ‘Really? This t**t?’ He’s a distraction.”

The 2021 ending didn't take away from the soaring success of Line of Duty watched by ten million people.

As with other cracking TV shows., the weight of expectation on the ending - predominantly fuelled by social media - can often push the series over the edge...and into oblivion.

Not to sound dramatic, but if the writer, Jed, gets it wrong for a second time, it will kill dead any chance of Line of Duty maintaining its prestige.

Three years on from the last episode, Line of Duty must return for a seventh series to deliver its rightful ending without influence from its feisty fans (like me!)

Instead, Jed must (not bottle it) and drown out the noise to bring Line of Duty back to its best by unveiling the REAL 'H'... For Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey.