LINE Of Duty fans were left shocked this evening as James Nesbitt was introduced as dodgy cop Marcus Thurwell after a top secret casting.

The 56-year-old actor surprised viewers when he appeared in the hit BBC drama – having claimed in February he'd been "snubbed" by creator Jed Mercurio.

The Cold Feet favourite claimed at the time he felt "galled" by the move, as the series is filmed in Northern Ireland, where he is from.

Which is why fans were stunned to see his face appear on a computer screen when the officers researched corrupt Thurwell.

Taking to Twitter, one excited fan asked: "Is that… James Nesbitt?!?"

Another wrote: "OMFG OF COURSE HE'S GOING TO BE IN LINE OF DUTY."

One more referenced James' and Jed's previous TV collaboration, begging: "PLEASE be a crossover with Bloodlands!"

One more viewer tweeted: "Oh my god, look who has just popped up!"

Blindsiding fans, James claimed in February that he'd never been considered for a role in the show – recounting a meeting with Jed.

He told Radio Times at the time: "I said, ‘Come on, Jed, when are we going to get a chance to work together?’

"Even though Line of Duty had been shot here for years I was never considered for it, which has always slightly galled me."

They then worked together on Jed's drama Bloodlands.

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