CREATOR Julian Fellows reckons his favourite line of the whole

series was uttered by snooty Dowager Countess

Maggie of Grantham (Dame Smith) when she said: “What is a weekend?” JIM Carter says one of the biggest thrills he got working on Downton Abbey was meeting Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney.

The actor, who plays Charles Carson, discovered that the singer and songwriter, 73, and his wife Nancy, 55, are huge fans of the ITV show. And he joked: “I said to Paul: ‘I think we should collaborate on an album called Downton Abbey Road.’

“I think he was quite pleased. He mercifully laughed. He has watched Downton. His wife is a big fan.” get out of the way. She said: “I was standing next to the bull! Thankfully noone got hurt.”

Downton Abbey has been on our screens since 2010, and the final series will run to eight episodes.

It will be followed up with a farewell show on Christmas Day.

Downton bows out with a string of awards. It’s had an Emmy for best miniseries, a Golden Globe for best TV series, a National TV Award for best drama and a special Bafta Tribute in recognition of its global success.

Creator Julian Fellowes admitted: “I have a sadness that it’s ending. It has been so real to me for so many years.

“I am sorry to say goodbye to these people. It is very unlikely I will be involved in anything as successful again so I say goodbye to these golden years.

“But I didn’t want it to dwindle. I want it to go with people saying they are sorry to see it go. It is the right time to go.”

Downton Abbey returns on Sunday, September 20, on ITV.