Ask me anything
Q&A Vicky McClure opens up about Line Of Duty on-set pranks, hidden talents and the secret to great hair Do you have nicknames for each other on
Line Of Duty?
We have loads, but calling each other “29” has stuck since day one. Neil Morrissey [who played DC Nigel Morton] asked me what the time was, and I just said “29”, and now it’s how we all refer to each other.
Do you ever pull pranks on set?
Martin Compston [DS Steve Arnott, above] and I are always trying to make each other jump. The annoying thing is he’s really good at it, and I’m crap.
Do you have a party trick?
I’ve been trained in dancing, so that’s my secret talent. From the Line Of Duty
TikToks, you wouldn’t know, but I can actually pirouette!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Lateness. Being early is like being on time for me. I can’t stand that feeling of panic or feeling rushed.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Stick to your own opinions and feel comfortable with them. Be honest, and don’t be ashamed of who you are.
Do you think you’d be friends with your LOD character Kate Fleming?
Yes. Kate’s got a real soft side once you break through her authority and the sheer importance of what she does. She’s a mother and a friend with a sensitive soul. And I’d love to find out the police gossip!
What’s the secret to your great hair?
Definitely my hair stylist! I use Sam McKnight and Living Proof products. I wash my hair most days to avoid that annoying “flat back” that short hair gets overnight.
Did you keep any of your This Is England wardrobe?
I kept a brown Fred Perry shirt that [my character] Lol wore [right], and I kept the box that Combo [played by Stephen Graham] made from matchsticks in the film. I’ll never give that away. Line Of Duty made us all a coat with “AC-12” and the badge on the arm, which is lovely to have.
Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?
Fly, because I travel so much. That would change the game for me! I’d love to be able to nip over to my sister’s and fly back, or grab something
I’ve forgotten.
“My party trick? I can actually pirouette”
Line Of Duty airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer