Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter admitted he has struggled to find roles since the end of Downton Abbey at the end of last year.

The 67-year-old screen veteran earned four Emmy nominations for his role as butler Mr Carson in the ITV hit show, which he starred in from 2010.

Jim Carter says work has been scarce since Downton (Ian West/PA)Jim Carter says work has been scarce since Downton (Ian West/PA)

But he told The Sun: “Acting work has been drying up even though I’d been in this very successful series.

“I’ve been lucky enough to make a documentary on one of my heroes Lonnie Donegan, that’s the fruit of my labours since Downton Abbey.”

Jim Carter: Lonnie Donegan and Me, about his love for the 1950s singer, who was dubbed the King of Skiffle, received good reviews when it aired in April.

George Clooney joined the cast of Downton for a Text Santa special (ITV)George Clooney joined the cast of Downton for a Text Santa special (ITV)

The actor has fond memories of his time filming Downton and recalled the moment when Dame Maggie Smith met George Clooney for the first time as they filmed a charity skit.

“She was vrrrrrooooom right in there, sat centre screen, though she was not scripted to be in the piece.

“Again unscripted, George took hold of Maggie’s hand and kissed it. At which point Dame Maggie, 81 years old, fell off the sofa.”