Dressing the stars is all in Line of Duty for Chris

The police drama filmed in Belfast has achieved record viewing figures since moving to the prime time 9pm Sunday slot on BBC One.

One person who will be glued to tomorrow night’s episode is a Belfast tailor who became one of the show’s biggest fans after a chance encounter with one of its stars.

Not only has Chris Suitor become a devoted follower of Line of Duty, but he is also the man responsible for getting Martin Compston – who plays DS Steve Arnott – fitted out for awards ceremonies and red carpet events.

The 34-year-old – who also tailors suits for Carl Frampton and Van Morrison – met the Scottish actor last November when he was over in Belfast filming the current series.

They met at a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) event in the SSE Arena where they both had ringside seats.

Chris said: “I didn’t know who he was, I was just treating him like a normal punter. He told me he was an actor in Line of Duty. I said I’d heard of it but didn’t know much about it.

“He asked me what I did and I told him I’m a men’s tailor. He says, ‘I’ve got a thing coming up and I need kitted out, I’ll look you up’. I gave him my card.”

Suitor Bros was set up in Belfast by Chris’s father Tom 45 years ago when he decided to go into a profession to match his surname.

Chris, who joined the family business eight years ago, continued: “I got a phone call about two weeks later from Martin reminding me he needed a suit for an awards ceremony. I never thought I’d hear anything more about it.

“It turns out the tailor he used to go to had gone out of business so it was just luck we’d met that night. Martin is just great craic, a really down to earth lovely fella.”

Tomorrow night’s final episode of series four is expected to reveal the identity of the killer known as ‘balaclava man’ as well as confirm whether DCI Roz Huntley – played by Hollywood star Thandie Newton – can continue to elude the anti-corruption unit’s investigation. Meanwhile Superintendent Ted Hasting – played by Fermanagh-born actor Adrian Dunbar – who heads the anti-corruption team, could be himself facing investigation.

Chris went on to explain how he got hooked on Line of Duty: “Even after the UFC thing I didn’t really pay too much attention to Line of Duty. But after Martin gave me his business I thought I must watch this.

“I sat down at eight to watch one episode and didn’t go to bed until four in the morning. It is just so moorish. It’s like nothing I’ve ever watched.”

As well as meeting Martin, Chris said Vicky McClure – who stars as DS Kate Fleming in the show – has also been into his shop in Belfast.

“She’s a lovely girl,” he said.

“I’d love to get Adrian Dunbar into the shop to complete the set,” added Chris.