We were all expecting to finish [Downton Abbey] after Series 1, actually. And then, it got extended to Series 3, and that's when two of our much loved and much missed friends left. And then, it was going to be done with Series 5, but Julian Fellowes said, "I'd like to do one more." So it's been a series of extensions, rather than wondering how much longer we can go on for.

For the last episode [of Downton Abbey], you'll need some handkerchiefs. I needed handkerchiefs reading it. It wasn't because it necessarily moved me while reading it, but it was the experience of reading it when I realized it was the last time I was ever going to be reading one of those scripts. That was quite terminal.

Certain stories that you want to see resolve in certain ways are, and some aren't, but that's life.

Homosexuality has been around since humanity began and different societies at different times have reacted in a different manner.

Young people are so often dissed by the media.

When you are in the eye of the storm, you are often not aware of the whiplash around you.

A typical Christmas is me shucking oysters. I love them and I always get them in at Christmas.