Julian Fellowes defends Downton Abbey Christmas special
Julian Fellowes has come out fighting after his two-hour Downton Abbey Christmas special was attacked in certain quarters as 'snoozy' and a ratings flop.
'The fourth series garnered the highest audience figures since the show began and in fact the final episode was our highest UK figure ever - so much for the 'slump,'' Lord Fellowes tells Mandrake.
Early viewing figures suggested that the show won an average audience of 6.6 million, a decline of 200,000 on last year's Christmas special. Fellowes suspects, however, that most families - rather than taking the antisocial step of absenting themselves from the after-dinner conversation and games - elected to record the episode rather than to watch it as it was broadcast. 'It is too early to know the final figures, before all the roll-ups, but they will be pleasingly high,' he assures me.
Downton drew 10.28 million - when viewers of the +1 channel are included - while Call The Midwife on BBC1 pulled in 10.18 million. Generously, Fellowes says: 'I think Call the Midwife is a marvellous show, I am flattered to be running neck and neck with it, whoever wins.'
In 2011, Downton proved to be a big winner based on consolidated figures, which meant that, after time-shift viewing was included, it was the biggest Christmas Day show. Last year, however, even with Dan Stevens's character getting bumped off, it failed to dislodge EastEnders from pole position.
A weight off the Duke's mind
The Duke of Westminster has managed to lose so much weight over the past year that I heard a story that he was unwell. 'Not at all,' his spokesman assures me when I inquire. 'He has simply been exercising and watching what he eats.'
Mandrake imagines that his grace - who celebrated 62nd birthday earlier this month - will have to head to his tailor before too long to be measured for new robes for the annual Garter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in time for June.
Overheard
'What a Christmas. I was married to Anne Reid on the BBC and Ian McKellen on ITV'
Sir Derek Jacobi considers his roles in Last Tango in Halifax and Vicious over Chrsitmas
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