LINE of Duty’s Gregory Piper has said an emotional goodbye to the show after Ryan Pilkington was shot dead saying: “I had it coming.”
The actor, whose character was gunned down on Sunday night’s epic episode, said starring in the hit BBC show had been “mind-blowing.”
Gregory posted a tribute to the show on Instagram – moments after fans rejoiced when his evil character was gunned down.
He joked: “If only they had got him a Big Mac. PC Ryan ‘The bent b*****d’ Pilkington’ over and out.”
Gregory, 23, from Dudley, West Mids, was just 13 when he first appeared in 2012’s debut series.
He wrote on Instagram: “Let’s face it. He had it coming! What a privilege it’s been to work on this show. Every day I was still mind blown and excited as I was when I was 13 in series 1.
“The nicest and most welcoming group of people I have ever met. I had the most fun and it’s something I’ll never forget. I know it’s cliche but I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true, they’re like family to me now.”
Gregory thanked the creator of the hit BBC1 police drama, Jed Mercurio, and the entire crew behind the scenes too for filming through the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “What an experience. It’s not lost on me how lucky I am. Jed Mercurio gave me an absolute gift with Ryan, his scenes and character journey have been the stuff of dreams and I’m so grateful.”
He added: “It’s a well oiled, hard working and talented machine and that was only emphasised when we filmed through the pandemic.”
Gregory, who acted alongside leading characters Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar and Vicky McClure and also Kelly MacDonald in Season 6, then praised his talented co-stars.
He said: “To have acted in scenes with the absolute power houses of actors that I have has been a masterclass. Along with the incredible director sacross S1,5 &6. The loveliest, most support and funny bunch you’ll ever meet.I have so many amazing memories.
This show meant so much to me and changed my life and if I could go back and tell little Greg what his life had in store his mind would explode!
Thank you to everyone who has currently watched and supported. I’m completely overwhelmed by the response and couldn’t be more proud of the whole team. LOD has the best fans (who also make brilliant detectives). Stay tuned because you’re in for an absolute corker of a last episode next week.”
The sun revealed last month junior cop Ryan would make a sensational return to Line Of Duty as the child recruit of gangsters who were now secretly embedded in Central Police.
Last night fans rejoiced as evil Ryan was shot dead – but escaped grilling by AC-12.
The crooked copper met his end after confessing to multiple murders on the show.
