The broadcaster insisted that the comments made were not in relation to the character’s disability.
The BBC has released a statement addressing comments made about a Line of Duty character who has Down syndrome.
The latest episode saw Tommy Jessop play Terry Boyle, a character with Down syndrome who gets arrested.
Adrian Dunbar’s character, Superintendent Ted Hastings, uses the word “oddball” to describe Terry.
In relation to complaints made about the comment, the BBC issued a statement to clarify the writers’ intention.
Need a quick refresher before Sunday's second episode of #LineOfDuty?
Remember to tune in Sunday 28th March at 9pm on @BBCOne pic.twitter.com/AKZwrqPaRJ— Line of Duty (@Line_of_duty) March 25, 2021
The broadcaster said: “Superintendent Ted Hastings’ comments were not in reference to the character Terry Boyle’s disability – Ted Hastings had never met Terry Boyle.
“Hastings was looking only at the evidence against Boyle, namely the press cuttings of Gail Vella found in his flat.
“The word ‘oddball’ means an eccentric person and has no meaning or connotation of disability and Hastings was referring to the stalker/obsessed fan theory of Gail Vella’s murder.”
When the episode aired, Mick Finnegan, an advocate with Trinity College’s Ability Co-Op highlighted the role language plays in relation to acceptance and understanding.
It's great that Line of Duty is back. However, calling a character with Down’s Syndrome ‘the local oddball’ on World Down Syndrome Day doesn't sit well with me. Great the actor was given the opportunity but language is key to acceptance and understanding #LineofDuty
— Mick Finnegan (@Mick_Finnegan) March 21, 2021
He wrote: “It’s great that Line of Duty is back. However, calling a character with Down’s Syndrome ‘the local oddball’ on World Down Syndrome Day doesn’t sit well with me. Great that the actor was given the opportunity but language is key to acceptance and understanding.”
Others described the use of the term as “disappointing” and “egregious”.
Actor Tommy Jessop received praise for his portrayal of Terry. He described his experience with the show as “wicked” and “an honour”. He then thanked fans for their support.
Thanks #LineofDuty It was all pretty wicked https://t.co/04KqmsZ4Kj
— Tommy Jessop (@tommyjessop) March 21, 2021
In 2007, Jessop appeared in the BAFTA nominated drama Coming Down the Mountain opposite Nicholas Hoult. A year later, he won the RADAR People of the Year Human Rights Media Award.
