Martin Compston left telly fans puzzled when he appeared to refuse to stand up and clap for Dame Joan Collins.

He was sat front row of the glitzy National Television Awards on Thursday night, but while the cameras caught the rest of the huge O2 arena leap to their feet as the Dynasty icon walked on stage to present an award, he stayed seated.

On Friday morning's episode of Lorraine, presenter Ria Hebden said: “Martin clearly wasn’t a fan of Dame Joan Collins coming on stage to present the award for Best Serial Drama. The music that they played, I don’t think he was a fan.”

Reacting to the clip, Lorraine then said: “I know he’s sitting down.

“I think he’s probably saying, ‘I don’t need any more awards, I’ve got enough.’”

Later Joan took to Twitter to slam those eager to "stir the pot" with a sassy retweet of a status explaining that Simply The Best is a song associated with Glasgow Rangers, the mortal sporting enemy of his favourite football team Celtic.

She added: “Dear @lorraine @itv @itvnews please don’t start #feuds where there are none. #stirringthepot.”

Others defended him on social media, describing his seated position as "banter".

One wrote: "See the folk having a go at Martin Compston not standing when Simply The Best was being played. That people is rivalry banter.

"I welcome that pettiness and would do the exact same if positions were reversed."

Another said: "Mature and dignified staying seated."

But not everyone supported his decision, nor liked his 'cut-throat' gesture made as the sultry pensioner commanded rapturous applause.

One raged that Martin "is disrespectful" adding "Refusing to join in with the standing ovation for Joan Collins just because the music used is associated with a football team he despises, Glasgow Rangers."

Another said: "I’d like to think most of us were mature enough to like a song for what it is, a great tune. Not like Martin Compston."

During the glitzy bash in London on Thursday, Line of Duty scooped not one, but two awards - Best Returning Drama, and the Special Recognition gong - beating the likes of Call the Midwife, The Crown and Unforgotten to win some of the night’s biggest prizes.

Taking to the stage to accept the honours, Martin slyly hinted that he may be reprising his role as DI Steve Arnott one more time.

“This means so much, like we started as a wee show on Wednesday night on BBC Two and now we’re the biggest drama on TV and it’s all because of the fans, we owe everything to you."