From Downton to Downtown: TV drama's singing stars

Away from the period costumes and upstairs, downstairs dramas of Downton Abbey, two of its stars have alternative careers as singers.

On-screen mother and daughter Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery have even played gigs together, with McGovern's band Sadie and the Hotheads.

Dockery, 29, who plays Lady Mary Crawley in the hit ITV series, has also performed at jazz club Ronnie Scott's and is planning a return date.

She said: "Singing is not like acting for me. I get incredibly nervous singing because I'm not playing a character; it's just me. It's very new but I really enjoy it."

McGovern, 50, who plays Cora, Countess of Grantham, is a singer songwriter and formed her band with musicians including Goldfrapp's Rowan Oliver in 2008.

Dockery also revealed the entire Downton cast sometimes performs one of Petula Clark's biggest hits - "We sing Downtown occasionally."