Published: 25 minutes ago
The scheming footman dances with Lady Violet Crawley, played by Dame Maggie Smith, at the servants' ball in a special episode of the ITV1 drama on Christmas Day.
But actor Rob James-Collier, who plays Thomas, admits he got off on the wrong foot with the 76-year-old Dame when he stepped on her toe.
Former Corrie hunk Rob, 35, said: "I was nervous about it because I can't actually dance — unless it's breakdancing. Maggie was OK though. We had a laugh.
"I stood on her toe and got the death-ray glare but I got through it. It was extremely nerve-racking."
His clumsy efforts could be down to the fact he missed the start of rehearsals — to get his hair cut.
Rob added: "Due to the fact I was having a 'Thomas haircut' that day, I missed the first 30 minutes of rehearsals and found that I couldn't keep up.
"I have two left feet and cannot waltz or indeed dance for toffee. But we had a laugh and she was so great. I think she humoured me and my two left feet."
Rob, who first found fame as Liam Connor in Coronation Street, added: "I suggested we do the lift from Dirty Dancing but she wasn't convinced I had the upper-body strength."
The Christmas special sees Thomas back and firmly stuck in his role as footman — once more desperately seeking promotion to be valet to the Earl (Hugh Bonneville).
But he is as bad as ever and fans will be appalled to see him kidnap the Earl's beloved labrador and hide him in a shed so he can later reunite the pair and win brownie points.
Toe joke ... Dame Maggie Smith had foot stepped on during filming
The episode is not due to air until Christmas Day — but Rob is already getting abuse off his friends, family and cast members about the plot.
He said: "I've been getting loads of stick for what he does to the dog. But a shed is bigger than a kennel.
"There was straw in there. It's not like I kicked him in. But it's what you do in desperation. Thomas has lost everything on the black market, he's doing what he can to get where he wants to go. He's misunderstood!"
He said: "I've been getting loads of stick for what he does to the dog. But a shed is bigger than a kennel.
"There was straw in there. It's not like I kicked him in. But it's what you do in desperation. Thomas has lost everything on the black market, he's doing what he can to get where he wants to go. He's misunderstood!"
Top gun ... shooting party in Christmas special, with kidnapped labrador
Rob already gets shouted at by pensioners for Thomas's misdeeds and endless scheming with ladies' maid Sarah O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) but he admits most fans love to hate him and are annoyed when he shows his softer side.
Dock in role ... Brendon Coyle as John Bates, in court
He said: "It's pantomime-esque, playful banter. I go into a post office and get booed and families give me a hard time in cafes — but sometimes they offer to pay for coffee! So it works both ways.
"If I show a softer side of the character, people are offended by that. I get stick for going soft."
Thomas is the only gay character in the show — but has not had a love interest in the last series. "If I show a softer side of the character, people are offended by that. I get stick for going soft."
Rob insists he has no idea what is in store for series three, which starts filming in February.
He said: "Whatever come along, we'll see what happens. Becoming a valet would be all right since he's been going on about it for more than two series."
The show has been a huge success around the world and dubbed into many languages.
But Rob admits that hearing the sexy tones of the Spanish actor whose voice is used over his has left him too scared to visit Spanish-speaking countries on holiday — in case he disappoints the locals.
He said: "The man who dubs my voice in Spanish has an infinitely deeper and much more sexy voice than mine. If I ever meet any fans out there, they will be left feeling very short-changed."
The show has got huge ratings globally.
But Rob admits he felt most thrilled when he discovered a certain flamboyant dancer and TV personality enjoyed the show.
He said: "Louie Spence is a fan! He loves it."
The two-hour Downton Abbey special, set over Christmas 1919, will be on ITV1 at 9pm on Christmas Day.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3997101/Downton-Abbey-Christmas-special.html
No comments:
Post a Comment