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How did Steve Arnott get injured in Line Of Duty?

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

From Cosmopolitan

Season six of Line Of Duty has us umm-ing and ahh-ing over who 'H' is (or 'The Fourth Man' as Hastings now calls them), while AC-12 continue their search for Gail Vella's murderer. Also taking centre stage this season is Steve Arnott's injury, with his over-the-counter painkiller problem flaring up. But how did the police officer actually hurt his back?

How Steve Arnott hurt his back in Line Of Duty

Back in series four of Line Of Duty, Steve (Martin Compston) was attacked by a disguised member of the OGC known only as 'balaclava man'. At the time, AC-12 were investigating DCI Roz Huntley (Thandie Newton) over the murder of forensics officer Tim Ifield (Jason Watkins), and while Steve was en route to question Roz's husband Nick Huntley (Lee Ingleby) about his wife’s whereabouts on the night of the murder, he was attacked.

A balaclava-clad criminal attacked him at Nick's office, hitting him with a baseball bat and pushing him down a flight of stairs, leaving Steve for dead. It later emerged that Nick had alerted criminal lawyer Jimmy Lakewell (Patrick Baladi) of Steve approaching, and corrupt Chief Superintendent Hilton (Paul Higgins) had ordered the attack on Steve.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Despite the officer surviving the murder attempt, his injuries have continued to cause him pain - leaving him in a wheelchair for much of the rest of the series. Speaking to Radio Times before season five in 2019, Martin explained the long term physical and mental

repercussions of the injuries. "At the start of the series, by all intents and purposes, he looks like he’s made a full recovery, but as we go through the episodes you start to realise it’s not quite right," actor Martin said.

"There’s stuff wrong with him physically and that’s starting to affect him mentally and this will bleed into the current series."

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

So far, viewers have seen Steve suffer with spasms and in the bedroom as a result of the injury, as he turns to over-the-counter painkillers to self medicate. In season six, Steve revealed to Steph Corbett that he was unable to seek help for the nerve damage, as it would put his job at risk.

Eek. Go back and watch the attack in season four, episode three.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

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