Downton woe for McGovern husband

Elizabeth McGovern has revealed that she had to comfort her real-life husband after Lady Sybil's shock death in Downton Abbey.

The TV star's character Cora, Countess of Grantham, was left heartbroken when her youngest daughter died shortly after giving birth.

And Elizabeth - who is married to film director Simon Curtis - said: "My very sophisticated husband, who's been in the business for a long time, was so distraught watching it that I had to lean over and say, 'It's not real, it's not real'."

Elizabeth admitted she will miss Jessica Brown Findlay, who plays Lady Sybil.

She added: "Everybody will. You can't help but get attached to people. You spend so many hours of the day with them and even if you don't like them, you're used to them. But we do like each other in the cast, it's one of those very lucky things. It's a great group of people."

In addition to starring in the third series of Downton, the actress is releasing a new album with her band, Sadie And The Hotheads.

Asked how much longer the costume drama - which is in its third series - will last, Elizabeth said: "I don't know the answer to that. I think everybody wants to be careful that it doesn't sort of outstay its welcome. But it seems to be something that people really like so I think they do want to continue with it for as long as it makes sense."

:: Sadie And The Hotheads' new album How Not To Lose Things is out on October 29.