Series 7 will relaunch the hunt for villain ‘H’ , with key suspects from Ted Hastings to Philip Osborne still under scrutiny

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It was the burning question on everyone’s lips in spring 2021, with Line of Duty’s highly anticipated sixth series pledging to reveal the identity of ruthless villain ‘H’.

After nine years of conjecture, the crime boss appeared to be unmasked as Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells. Yet the 2021 finale left many fans dissatisfied by what they considered an underwhelming reveal, with some even describing the storyline as a ‘letdown’.

However, Line of Duty’s upcoming seventh series will restart the hunt for ‘H’. Over the years, viewers suspected practically everyone, with countless senior officers falling under suspicion, reports the Mirror.

Here, we examine the key figures who became suspects and who may still come under investigation when the new series begins.

Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan

DI Matthew “Dot” Cottan, played by Craig Parkinson, provided the first significant twist in the ‘H’ storyline. Exposed in series three as a long-term OCG informant, he tried to flee before being gunned down.

As he tapped out a final Morse code message, AC-12 became convinced that a high-ranking officer whose name began with H was still pulling the strings from the shadows. Despite his demise, could Dot have actually deceived Ted, Kate and Steve, carrying his real identity as ‘H’ to his death?

Derek Hilton

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Hilton, brought to life by Paul Higgins, quickly established himself as a prime suspect in the hunt for ‘H’. He repeatedly sought to obstruct AC-12 investigations and was frequently at loggerheads with Ted Hastings.

Hilton was later exposed as corrupt, with ties to organised crime. Yet, despite his undeniable shadiness, he was never regarded as the senior figure AC-12 were pursuing. Could Derek have succeeded in pulling the wool over their eyes all along?

Gill Biggeloe

Gill Biggeloe, played by Polly Walker, left audiences stunned when she was unmasked as part of the OCG network. The eloquent senior legal counsel appeared to be working alongside AC-12.

In reality, she was feeding intelligence to organised crime and pulling strings behind the scenes. Her arrest highlighted the far-reaching nature of corruption, though she persistently maintained she wasn’t the elusive ‘H’ at the top of the chain of command. Could ‘H’ actually stand for Her?

Ted Hastings

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Audiences adored Ted Hastings, played by Adrian Dunbar, yet he became one of the most shocking suspects of all. The AC-12 chief had devoted his career to hunting down bent coppers.

Nevertheless, financial difficulties, a hidden laptop and a mysterious “H” signature cast suspicion upon him in series five. He was formally investigated and came close to prosecution before being mercifully cleared.

The fallout rocked AC-12 to its core at the time, so we shudder to contemplate what might occur if there’s any chance he’s the real ‘H’.

Philip Osborne

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Philip Osborne, played by Owen Teale, was extensively considered the ultimate “big boss” suspect. Initially appearing in series one, he later rose through the ranks to Chief Constable, placing him at the top of the force.

His distance from day-to-day operations and links to earlier cover-ups prompted fans to wonder whether he was the mastermind AC-12 had been chasing all along. Bookies had him at roughly 4/1 ahead of the finale.

However, despite the conjecture, Osborne was never exposed as ‘H’… thus far. With the investigation now apparently continuing, he remains among the most substantial unsolved questions.

Patricia Carmichael

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Patricia Carmichael, played by Motherland actress Anna Maxwell Martin, became one of the most intriguing suspects in series six. The formidable AC-3 chief repeatedly clashed with Ted Hastings and appeared determined to dismantle AC-12.

Her calm demeanour and sharp interrogation skills put her firmly in the frame, with many viewers convinced she was protecting someone higher up the chain. At one point, she even topped the bookmakers’ odds as the probable ‘H’, before the finale implied otherwise. Could this smug senior officer be hiding the ‘H’ secret?

Jo Davidson

Jo Davidson, played by Kelly Macdonald, took centre stage in series six. As the senior investigating officer on the Gail Vella case, she quickly came under scrutiny as evidence mounted suggesting she was working with the OCG.

Her undeclared family ties to organised crime sent shockwaves through AC-12. For a time, many believed she could be ‘H’.

However, it later emerged she was being coerced and controlled, rather than running the show. Was the victim act simply a cover to conceal her identity as ‘H’?

Hillside Lane Police Station

Some viewers became progressively convinced the letter actually referred to Hillside Lane Police Station, a location that had been consistently highlighted since the opening series.

Numerous bent officers were linked to the station, fuelling theories amongst audiences that “H” represented systemic corruption at a senior level – rather than one individual mastermind. Whether this hypothesis re-emerges in series 7 is yet to be determined.

Ian Buckells

After nine years of unexpected developments and misleading clues, Ian Buckells, played by Nigel Boyle, was exposed as the infamous “Fourth Man”. Often dismissed as incompetent rather than threatening, the senior officer had quietly protected OCG activities across multiple series.

In the climactic finale, AC-12 identified him as the last remaining high-ranking corrupt official within the organisation.

Whilst some bookmakers had listed him at odds as high as 16/1 before the finale, he turned out to be the final senior bent copper still active. Nevertheless, the seventh series may still question whether he genuinely was ‘H’ from the beginning….

Production for Line of Duty is due to begin next month, although no broadcast date has been confirmed at this stage.

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She was one of almost 30 women violently killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.

A local community that was home to pregnant mum-of-two Sarah Montgomery lived prior to her murder last summer is to honour her memory with an upcoming event focusing on domestic abuse.

Sarah Montgomery , 27, died at her home in Donaghadee, Co Down on June 27 last year. She was 34 weeks pregnant when she was killed, along with her unborn son, at her home at Elmfield Walk where she lived with her two little girls.

Zak Hughes, 28, from Ardglen Place in Belfast but currently on remand in HMP Maghaberry, is charged with the murder of Sarah and with destruction of her unborn child on the same date.

READ MORE: Co Down woman’s challenge in memory of childhood friend who died tragicallyREAD MORE: Northern Ireland murder toll 2025 as 15 lives taken in 12 months

Sarah was one of almost 30 women to have been murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020. Her death led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls here and hundreds of people attended a vigil in her memory in the days following her death.

The event, When Home Isn’t Safe, is being hosted by the local charity, the Donaghadee Community Development Association, supported by Women’s Aid North Down and Ards, and the Police and Community Safety Partnership.

The Association is inviting people to join them ‘in honour of Sarah Montgomery and her baby Liam’, for an ‘evening of solidarity, reflection and action around domestic abuse and coercive control’ at Donaghadee Community Centre, 12a Railway Street, Donagahdee next Tuesday, March 3 from 7pm to 8:30pm.

In a social media post announcing the event, the Association stated: “This event is in honour of Sarah Montgomery and everyone who has been impacted by domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.”

The charity’s event is being held in light of alarming statistics which show the PSNI receive an emergency call about domestic abuse every 17 minutes while 32,000 children and young people are living with domestic abuse.

The event will inform participants of the symptoms of domestic abuse, ways to respond safely and what local support services are available for help.

It will also feature the ’Souls of Our Shoes’ exhibition – depicting footwear from more than 50 survivors of domestic abuse – which was organised by the Mother’s Union for display at Stormont last autumn in an evocative bid to call for an end to violence in the home.

To ensure you don’t miss out on all the latest from Belfast Live, be sure to make us your preferred source on Google.

Members of North Yorkshire Council’s Richmond area committee will debate a petition calling for measures to tackle congestion on the A6136 through the military town next week.

More than 1,000 people have signed the petition which was launched by Hipswell and Colburn division councillor, Kevin Foster.

But a report prepared ahead of the meeting concludes that most trips on the road are to destinations along the route.

Nicki Lishman, senior democratic services officer, said in the report: “Consequently, a relief road or bypass would have limited impact in reducing perceived network strain.

“The modelling shows that, at best, a bypass would displace that traffic to other access routes towards the town.”

Instead, the report says motorists should be encouraged to move toward “walking, wheeling and cycling” for short journeys as a way of reducing trips at busier times.

“Infrastructure is available on the route to support the switch to walking, wheeling and cycling for shorter journeys, though we recognise that, in places, improvements could be made or new links delivered which would ease the strain on the network at busier times,” the officer says.

The road was last surveyed by Richmondshire District Council between 2018 and 2020 amid fears the route could reach capacity due to the number of new homes being built in the area.

This led to improvements at several junctions in a bid to improve traffic flow.

The officer adds: “Notwithstanding this, it is acknowledged that the lived-in experience is that at times, the network in Catterick is under strain but this is exacerbated at peak times and associated with specific events in the vicinity.”

Cllr Foster said he and “thousands of residents” did not agree with the report’s findings

He added: “This effectively expects people to walk or cycle to adult education and key services, which is unrealistic and excludes our disabled community.

“This route is part of the designated key road network and I do not agree with this report.

“I will be asking questions and expect evidence to support these claims. With major housing growth now underway, we must be proactive and address capacity now.”

The petition will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Monday next week.

Low Tide Coffee House on North Terrace in Seaham will be ready to welcome in customers from Saturday (February 28) after more than a month of work.

Husband and wife duo Sarah and Garry Jeffrey from Seaham took over the unit, formerly known as The Featherbed Café in December and since then have poured their life savings into renovating and making it their own.

Low Tide Coffee House, North Terrace, Seaham. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Pictures show the outside of the café, including its door, has been painted a light green colour and black signage has been put up.

Sarah, a British Army veteran, previously told The Northern Echo that she’s hoping the café can become a “lifeline” for the community.

The 46-year-old said: “We just said right, let’s go for it. We’ve poured our life savings into it.

“It’s a big leap, a massive step and a massive hole in our pockets but I want to give back to the community.

“I would like it to become a safe place for the elderly to come and see a smiling face and have a cup of coffee.

“It can be a lifeline where people can meet friends.”

Sarah and Garry Jeffrey from Seaham. (Image: SARAH JEFFREY)

She added: “So many people have been looking through the window at what we are doing and have said they are glad we are opening.

“I feel like I’m bursting with pride, it makes me feel so warm and nice inside.”

But that’s not all the building is being utilised for – as well as the café, Sarah’s other passion, pole fitness, is represented by High Tide Fitness, which is already up and running.

The mum-of-one added: “My whole thought process when leaving the army was to be a mum to my son, but I also really wanted to teach pole fitness.

“I opened up a studio in Skelton and then one in Sunderland but it burned down after a fire at a nearby business in December.

“It was two doors up from us – on December 3, my son’s 17th birthday, we got a call that everything had burned, just before Christmas.

“There is a lot of stigma around pole fitness. I know where it originated from but we don’t do any of the heel work. I don’t teach any of that.

“My teaching is more about empowerment which is a massive thing especially with women.”

The three-bedroom, terraced property is located on Wharton Street and is in need of some improvement.

The three-storey house comprises of an entrance hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom on the ground floor.

Photos show that the property is currently in need of some maintenance. (Image: Auction House South Yorkshire)

On the first floor, there are two bedrooms with a third located in the attic.

Externally, the property has a rear yard and there is on-street parking available nearby.

However, potential buyers should be aware of the current condition of the house and the maintenance work required.

Rear yard. (Image: Auction House South Yorkshire)

Photographs show that the property is currently in need of some maintenance, with holes in some walls and signs of damp.

Despite this, the listing highlights that once the renovation work is complete, the property could potentially offer a monthly rental income of £750 per month, or an annual rental income of £9,000.

Situated on Wharton Street, it provides convenient access to the town centre and its amenities, not to mention the attractions of Hartlepool’s seafront and the North East coastline.

Ground floor bathroom. (Image: Auction House South Yorkshire)

The property is also located just 0.3 miles from Hartlepool’s train station.

Also pointed out in the listing is the house’s proximity to other significant places.

The historic city of Durham is easily accessible, as are Middlesborough, Darlington, and Newcastle upon Tyne.

The third bedroom is located on the top floor. (Image: Auction House South Yorkshire)

This might add to the property appeal for those who value connectivity and accessibility.

Last sold in 2025, the house went for £39,500 in May of that year.

Ultimately, this property seems like an opportunity for developers or first-time buyers who are open to undertaking a renovation project and are looking for an affordable start, though it is worth noting one more fact.

The listing also states that there were 8,843 reported crimes in the area in the last 12 months, earning it a ‘very high crime’ tag.

For more information, you can contact Auction House South Yorkshire on 01144462621.

Fire crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough say that they were called to the A658, south of Knaresborough, at 7.52am this morning (February 23) after a crash involving two vehicles.

One person became trapped inside their vehicle in the crash.

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“Crews released the occupant using driver side door removal and they were then transported to hospital via air ambulance. Crews then carried out scene safety and disconnected the batteries from both vehicles,” said a spokesperson for the force.

At the time of writing (5.15pm), the road is still closed at the junction with the B6163 at Thistle Hill whilst investigation work is carried out.

As reported by The Press this morning, North Yorkshire Police advised all road users in the area to find alternative routes for their journey.

The Press will update the story as we receive more.

“You didn’t have to look like the 18th century, you didn’t have to dress like a hamburger, you didn’t have to arrive in a van where you were standing up because you couldn’t sit down because you wore a chandelier.” (Ford’s comments appear to reference two looks worn by American singer Katy Perry in 2019).

Pippa McClounan, communications manager of Tourette’s Action, told BBC News: “As much as these words do cause hurt and shock in people, it’s really vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette’s syndrome, that the tics are involuntary, and they are in no way reflection of what that person is thinking and their beliefs.

The scheme, a 70-home project by Gleeson Homes, will be built on land near Buckingham Terrace in Leeholme, Durham.

It will include a mix of bungalows, and two, three, and four-bedroom houses, with seven homes designated as affordable.

Objections centred on issues such as infrastructure, accessibility to services, highway safety, flooding, contamination, tree loss, and the impact on wildlife.

Traffic and infrastructure concerns

One resident said: “The potential 180 extra vehicles will have such a significant impact to cause extreme concern and high risk to all through the added congestion.”

Another said: “There is no infrastructure to support the existing residents of Leeholme, nevermind to support the application for a further 70 houses.”

Loss of green space

A resident wrote: “I am writing to formally object to the proposed development of 70 dwellings on the greenfield space.”

They said the site “functions as a community green space used daily by local residents—dog walkers, families, and children.”

Environmental impact

Concerns about wildlife and the natural environment were also raised.

A resident said: “The relatively high percentage of trees to be removed on the proposed site would have a huge impact to the visual aesthetics and character of the location.”

Flooding and contamination

Other objections highlighted historical issues with flooding and ground contamination.

One resident said: “There is a history of flooding at the south of the proposed development.”

Another raised health concerns, saying: “The houses that were demolished on site in the late 80s contained asbestos that was never removed from the site.”

“This will lead not only to significant and widespread contamination within the houses, but also presents significant long term health hazards…”

Ground instability and sustainability

Residents questioned the suitability of the land, with one noting: “Local knowledge indicates that temporary properties built here in the 1970s were removed due to ground instability.”

Others said the development was unsustainable.

One objection stated: “Leeholme itself has no employment and basic facilities… Its simply not sustainable.”

Education and services

Concerns were also raised about pressure on schools and other services.

One resident said: “The nearest secondary school is King James in Bishop Auckland, last year it was 150 over capacity and this year 173 with literally no space for one more chair.”

Councillor James Stephenson, of Reform Shildon and Dene Valley, supported residents’ concerns.

He said: “Leeholme does not offer the range of services, employment opportunities or public transport links required to support an additional 70 dwellings.”

“The impacts of safety and congestion are likely to be significant.”

However, not all councillors were opposed.

Councillor Michael Ramage, Independent member for Shildon and Dene Valley, supported the development.

He said: “The development will be for the greater good and of benefit to a significant number of constituents, who have not voiced objections, and in my view, would be for the economic good of the area.”

Dr. Peter Attia, a medical influencer whose emails with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were revealed in the latest U.S. Justice Department release of files, has resigned a post with CBS News.

Attia, podcast host and author of “Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity,” was one of a group of people named last month by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss as a contributor to network programming. He was the subject of a “60 Minutes” profile that ran on the network last October.

But shortly after the appointment, Attia’s name surfaced in hundreds of Epstein documents. While Attia said he was guilty of no wrongdoing and did not attend any of Epstein’s sex parties, he admitted in an apology earlier this month that some of his emails were “embarrassing, tasteless and indefensible.”

Despite some public pressure, CBS News did not cut ties with Attia after the documents surfaced. Instead, Attia resigned from the network on his own, according to published reports confirmed by CBS News on Monday.

Attia is one of several public figures, including some in the corporate and public sectors, whose relationships with Epstein have surfaced in recent weeks, causing resignations.