Line of Duty star Martin Compston has responded to accusations he took part in singing “sectarian songs” at a Celtic fan convention in the US.
The Scottish actor, who plays Steve Arnott in the hit programme, took to social media to deny claims that while on stage in Las Vegas with Alan Thompson and Bobby Petta he changed lyrics to IRA ones.
Compston was at a Celtic fan event and can be seen in footage that surfaced online singing on stage to Daniel Boone's song Beautiful Sunday, a tune which is frequently played out at Celtic Park.
Compston was at a Celtic fan event and can be seen in footage that surfaced online singing on stage to Daniel Boone's song Beautiful Sunday
Andrew Milligan
Compston responded to earlier reports of the clip, saying he was not best pleased to wake up to the story before being given a right to reply.
Fans in the venue appear to be singing "Irish Republican Army. It's the I-I-I-IRA".
Compston said "if people want to change lyrics" that's up to them.
Sharing a statement on Twitter, Compston responded to earlier reports of the clip, saying: "Not best pleased to wake up to a story eight hours ahead of me before I’ve had the right to reply."
He went on to clarify his position, saying: “Let me be absolutely clear, I unequivocally did not sing ANY sectarian songs.
“I’ve worked in Belfast too long to see damage done to think this stuff is a laugh.
“If people want to change lyrics to a song that’s sung at Celtic Park, weddings, Still Game wherever, that’s up to them I’m not the lyric police.
“If it was an IRA song and I was onstage bobbing along I would understand the story, but I’m pretty sure Daniel Boone had nothing more than Beautiful Sundays in mind when he wrote the song and that’s what I was singing.”
Compston recently prompted speculation among fans that Line of Duty could be making a return when he posted a photo of himself having dinner with co-stars McClure and Adrian Dunbar and show creator Jed Mercurio, captioning the image ‘Talking tattoo designs’.