With the fourth series finally commissioned for the hugely popular ITV period drama, Downton Abbey, one of its main stars can’t quite believe his luck at staying on!

Rob James Collier, who plays villainous Thomas Barrow in the epic and Golden Globe winning show, has revealed that he thought his character should have been killed off by now.

Fans of the hit drama will know Rob’s character, Thomas Barrow, has been one of the constant streams of poison running through the veins of the great stately house, causing more trouble and mayhem than any good under-butler ever should.
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Whilst most of the nation found the last series of Downton Abbey captivating, it appears that some European broadcasters found certain scenes inappropriate, in particular the scene where Thomas Barrow tries to kiss Jimmy Kent.

However, the actors who play Thomas and Jimmy, Rob James Collier and Ed Speleers, have come forward to defend the scene, and Ed has even admitted to liking kissing his co-star!
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As fans of Downton Abbey will know, we often see the characters drinking, with meals or in social settings, however, Rob James Collier, who of course plays devious valet Thomas Barrow, has revealed that no alcohol is permitted on-set, so when we see booze being drunk, it is in fact alcohol free.

Speaking to TV Biz, Rob explained, “Alcohol is banned on the Downton set. It is because of insurance. It is really dull.

“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 paper adds, “Rob said the stars now had to take comfort in Starbucks — although that too has its problems…” Read more & comment »

Fans of Downton Abbey have most likely spotted a number of familiar faces amongst the cast, and in today’s Mirror, the paper reveals that some 60% of Downton’s cast began their careers in UK soaps!

For example, Siobhan Finneran, who plays acerbic lady’s maid O’Brien got her TV break on Coronation Street in the role of factory worker Josie Phillips.

That was back in 1989, when Mike Baldwin was cock of the walk at the factory, but after her stint on Corrie, and its spin-off show Romanian Holiday Siobhan also landed roles in Casualty and Emmerdale. More recently, she has of course starred as Janice in sitcom, Benidorm.

Her Downton co-star Rob James Collier – who plays the role of gay servant Thomas Barrow – also starred in Corrie as doomed Liam Connor, who was of course killed when evil Tony Gordon had him bumped off in 2008… Read more & comment »

With the new series of Downton Abbey due to start next month, the Earl is short a valet due to Bate’s murder charge, so who better to step into his shoes than Downton snake, Thomas?

Fans of the show will know how over the past two series of the hit ITV show, Thomas has been plotting and scheming his way to get Bate’s job, but not even he could have thought up the circumstance that actually brought it about.
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As fans of Downton Abbey will of course know, footman Thomas Barrow is an out and out baddie, and he even shot himself in the hand to ensure he was sent back to the genteel surrounds of Downton Abbey from the front lines in France…

However, Thomas – who is often to be found in league with the equally villainous ladies’ maid Sarah O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran) to plot someone’s downfall – is harbouring a secret; he’s gay, and of course, in Edwardian times, that was a major taboo.

But according to the Daily Mirror, in the forthcoming third series of the show, Thomas, who’s set to become a valet, will fall for new footman Jimmy Kent who’s to be played by Ed Speleers… Read more & comment »

Whoop with joy Downton Abbey fans for ITV have released two brand new pictures from the new series, and in addition, Rob James Collier – who plays footman Thomas – has revealed that when Shirley MacLaine turned up for her first day on set, she took him completely by surprise by being overjoyed to meet him.

But first, of the pictures, regrettably there are – as mentioned – only two, one of which is above and the second is after the jump.

Over now to what Rob – who formerly played the role of Liam Connor in Corrie – had to say of meeting Ms MacLaine, who will play Martha Levinson… Read more & comment »

Rob James-Collier, who plays shady servant Thomas in Downton Abbey – and who formerly starred in Coronation Street as Liam Connor – has revealed that it hasn’t always been easy to find acting work.

Speaking to the PA, Rob, who also stars in new comedy drama series Love Life, explained that when he first tried to break into acting, he continually experienced rejections and “slamming doors.”

He added, “It’s a massive struggle and it still is once you get in.

“You’re only as good as your last job and sometimes you can do very well, but it’s so competitive out there that it will always be peaks and troughs.”

And of his original plan to become a businessman, Rob said, “Marketing was kind of my chosen career path…

“But I think I just did it because I was reasonably intelligent at school and my mum and dad had funded me through university, which was very kind of them… Read more & comment »

Rob James Collier – who has of course previously starred in Coronation Street as Liam Connor – has been talking to the Sun’s TV Biz about what his Downton character Thomas Barrow is to get up to in the show’s Christmas special.

As fans will know, Thomas is only at Downton as a grace and favour courtesy, since his official role of medic there ended with the war. But it seems that he’s about to find himself in a very precarious position within the household over Christmas…

The storyline begins when Thomas, who’s now relegated to the role of footman – and even that’s only temporary – wants to make sure Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) keeps him on at the house, so he comes up with a plan to ‘kidnap’ his Lordship’s dog, and then later, be hailed a hero when he reunites master and pooch.

Of that plotline, Rob 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… Read more & comment »

Rob James-Collier has been telling What’s On TV magazine what it’s like playing his Downton Abbey character, Thomas Barrow.

As fans of the show will know, last week, we saw Thomas returning to Downton Abbey after injuring himself on the front lines in France so that he could be medically discharged from active duty.

And of course, Thomas’s scheming nature has made him an ideal friend to the equally scheming Lady’s Maid, O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran), and of their relationship, Rob said, “She’s responsible for getting him back to Downton Abbey, so they pretty much hit the ground running with their scheming like before.

“Basically plotting to bring about everyone’s downfall and for their own benefit. We love our ‘smoking and plotting’ scenes out the back, and there a plenty this time around in Downton!” Read more & comment »

Check out this picture of the gorgeous Rob James Collier at the recent CAFOD fun run.

CAFOD stands for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and Rob James-Collier fired the starter’s gun at their annual fun run in Liverpool which celebrated its 25th anniversary on December 27.

Rob left Coronation Street this autumn when his character Liam Connor was murdered. Here’s hoping he finds another high profile role soon, as after he and Rob Kazinsky departed from soapland there just isn’t enough eye candy for us girls anymore!