Charlie Lawson is pleased his pal Adrian Dunbar is getting the "recognition he deserves" after 40 years of hard work.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actor is "chuffed" the ‘Line of Duty’ star has found fame from the show, because his long-time friend has been "working his ass off" for four decades.
Charlie said: "I seem to spend more time talking about Adrian than anything else. That’s mainly down to his amazing performance as Ted Hastings in ‘Line of Duty.’
"I’ve known him for a long time. Aidy and I come from different communities and were poles apart when we met.
"When he first came to live with me, there was a [loyalist] Vanguard flag hanging up and he was the first Catholic I’d ever met.
"We have been firm friends for 40 years, with never a cross word said. We’ve never fallen out about Northern Ireland.
"I have the utmost respect for the man, despite the fact he holds different views.
"Aidy taught me a lot. I am over the moon with ‘Line of Duty’ – it was brilliant.
"Aidy has been working his ass off for 40 years and has never had the recognition he deserves.
"Aidy’s famous now and I’m dead chuffed for him – I think it’s brilliant. He’s probably not bothered, but I’m dead pleased for him."
Charlie is looking forward to partying with his fellow pals Aidy and Neil Morrissey when he turns 60 this September, and says he is "going to have a big shindig".
Speaking to Sunday Life, he added: "I’m 60 this year and the old brothers in arms – me, Aidy Dunbar and Neil Morrissey – are going to have a big shindig… everybody duck!
"I’m really looking forward to being able to celebrate my birthday with those two boys because we’ve been friends for a very long time."