Downton Abbey hit with booze ban

London - Downton Abbey producers have banned alcohol from the set.

The cast - which includes Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery - used to enjoy a tipple on the set but bosses have removed it because of insurance reasons.

Rob James-Collier, who plays footman Thomas, said: "Alcohol is banned on the Downton set. It is because of insurance. It is really dull.

'Enjoyed kissing a man'

"We are not allowed drink while we are on set. We were, back in the day. But we did have some nice ham and cheese from Waitrose the other day!"

The former Coronation Street star plays a gay character in the ITV1 period drama, and he admits he actually rather enjoyed kissing his co-star Ed Speelers, despite being straight himself.

Speaking on an episode of Alan Carr's Chatty Man he said: "I liked it. I mean there are worse men to kiss, aren't there?

"We didn't giggle when we filmed it. I am a heterosexual male. I just thought let's get on with it and do it!"