Imelda Staunton: My husband keeps Downton storylines secret

Imelda Staunton says she only finds out her husband's storylines in Downton Abbey by watching the show, because he does not tell her the twists in advance.

The actress, who's married to Jim Carter (butler Carson), said they usually sit down together to watch it and she sees it as a 'punter' because she has no idea what is due to happen.

Imelda, 57, told Radio Times she loved having the programme back on TV recently, but had a 'vested interest'.

"Usually Jim and I watch it together. He doesn't tell me his storylines in advance because I like to just be a punter and enjoy it," she said.

Imelda is soon to be heard as one of the voices in Mouse And Mole At Christmas Time on CBeebies, featuring alongside the late Richard Briers and playwright Alan Bennett.

"I realised how lucky I was to sit in a room and do funny voices when I could have a grown-up job," she said in the magazine interview.