He’s the actor beloved of millions for his portrayal of anti-corruption cop Ted Hastings in the hugely successful police drama Line Of Duty.
Adrian Dunbar, who is instantly recognisable as chief of the fictional AC-12 ‘bent coppers’ division, stunned council workers when he was seen wandering the corridors of Bury Town Hall on Monday.
Dunbar, 63, is filming a new series of another crime show, ITV’s Ridley, on locations around Greater Manchester and Lancashire with Bury’s civic centre being used as one of the settings.
Council leader Coun Eamonn O’Brien shared a picture of himself with the star, who was taking a break from the Ridley shoot where he again plays a man of the law, this time a retired detective who acts as a consultant.
Coun O’Brien was invited on to the set by the director of the drama in order to welcome the cast and crew to Bury.
He said: “Great to meet with Adrian Dunbar yesterday as he was filming in Bury Town Hall for his new ITV show Ridley.
“Thanks to Noreen Kershaw who was directing and invited me on set.”
Coun O’Brien contrasted the experience with his day to day council business saying it was ‘definitely one of the more exciting moments I’ve had in the town hall’.
He also could not resist a cheeky jibe over the national news headlines about alleged rule breaking party antics in the Prime Minister’s residence.
He said: “Yes, there were a few jokes between us about getting AC-12 in to investigate Downing Street.”
In Ridley, Dunbar resumes his partnership with his former protégée, DI Carol Farman, now played by former Hollyoaks star Bronagh Waugh, who in the drama is in charge of a baffling murder investigation.
Dunbar told ITV: “Ridley has begun shooting and we really couldn’t be off to a better start.
“Despite the wintry weather, everything from cast and crew right down to the catering is excellent.
“Bronagh Waugh has stepped into her character’s shoes seamlessly and we have been joined by some great actors.”
