‘Downton Abbey’ creator reveals hilarious fact about Mrs Patmore actress

Julian Fellowes has let slip a surprising truth about Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol.

The 66-year-old English actress played Mrs Patmore in all 52 episodes of ITV’s period drama series and recently reprised the role in the hit Downton movie.

Mrs Patmore – or Beryl to a very few special people – is the house’s cook, but it sounds like you wouldn’t want Lesley Nicol making your dinner in real life!

Asked to select his favourite food from the show, Downton writer Julian Fellowes recently responded to a fan on Twitter: “When Edith was jilted at the altar, the household (up and down) had to eat the wedding breakfast that had been planned.

“When she ran through the food, a lot sounded absolutely delicious. I suppose I would pick that menu, the missed wedding breakfast.”

However, Fellowes then revealed: “It’s wonderful, really, that Lesley Nicol cannot cook an egg.”

He added: “She’s now vowed to learn how to cook because she has been asked all sorts of things, and she literally can’t make a ham sandwich.”

It was recently announced that Lesley Nicol’s new period drama series Beecham House won’t be returning for a second season.

At least the Downton team are already working on a sequel following the box office success of the first film.

The Downton Abbey movie is available on DVD on Amazon.