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'Witless' Star Zoe Boyle Reveals How She Got A 'Terrifying' Telling Off From Maggie Smith On Set Of 'Downton Abbey'

'It was a long day, and I didn’t hear that we were ready to go...'
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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Dame Maggie Smith has a reputation for being a formidable figure in acting circles, something which ‘Witless’ star Zoe Boyle knows only too well.

The former ‘Downton Abbey’ actress has recalled the “terrifying” moment she was told off by Maggie on the set of the ITV period drama.

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Zoe Boyle
BUILD

When asked about her biggest acting faux pas byX The Huffington Post UK’s Matt Bagwell on ‘BUILD’, Zoe revealed: “I got told off by Maggie Smith. Which was bad. On ‘Downton’. 

“On ‘Downton Abbey’ you do these big dinner party scenes and they take forever. I mean it’s a great show, I love it and everything... but those scenes are boring. Those scenes are really boring to film.

“I was sat opposite Maggie and I was on my phone, and it was her coverage. It was a long day, and I didn’t hear that we were ready to go and I just heard this, ‘hello...’ and I looked up and there she was.”

Zoe continued: “It was the only time she ever addressed me and she was just staring daggers at me and I was like, ‘Oh no. Oh no, I’m in trouble with Maggie’. 

“It was fine... we made friends and it was all good, but that was an awkward one. Terrifying.”

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Maggie Smith
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
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Zoe appears in 'Witless' alongside with Kerry Howard
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Zoe is currently appearing in hit BBC Three comedy ‘Witless’ as Rhona, alongside Kerry Howard, which tells the story of two friends in witness protection. 

During the interview, the pair also confirmed the show would be returning for a third series, following the huge success of the first two.

Watch the full interview in the video below...

BAFTA Celebrates 'Downton Abbey'
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Michelle Dockery arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(02 of55)
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Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(03 of55)
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Elizabeth McGovern arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(04 of55)
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Phyllis Logan arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(05 of55)
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Joanne Froggatt arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(06 of55)
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Laura Carmichael arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(07 of55)
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Daisy Lewis arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(08 of55)
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Zoe Boyle arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(09 of55)
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Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(10 of55)
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Samantha Bond arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(11 of55)
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Joanne Froggatt arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(12 of55)
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Penelope Wilton arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(13 of55)
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Dan Stevens arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event in London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(14 of55)
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From left, British actresses Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(15 of55)
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British actor Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(16 of55)
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Joanne Froggatt arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(17 of55)
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Julie Walters arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(18 of55)
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Sophie McShera arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(19 of55)
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Sophie McShera arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(20 of55)
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Julie Walters arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(21 of55)
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Phyllis Logan arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(22 of55)
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Raquel Cassidy arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(23 of55)
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Jonathan Ross arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(24 of55)
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Zoe Boyle arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(25 of55)
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Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(26 of55)
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Lily James arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(27 of55)
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Daisy Lewis arrives for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(28 of55)
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Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(29 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Sophie McShera attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Britain BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey(30 of55)
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Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams arrive for the BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey event at a central venue, London, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP) (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(31 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: James Faulkner and wife attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(32 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Phyllis Logan attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(33 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: (L-R) Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(34 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Myanna Buring attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(35 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: (L-R) Fifi Ward and Allen Leech attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(36 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Rebecca Night and Harry Hadden-Paton attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(37 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Laura Carmichael attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(38 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: David Robb attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(39 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Rebecca Night and Harry Hadden-Paton attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(40 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Zoe Boyle attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(41 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Julian Fellowes attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(42 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Julian Fellowes and Emma Joy Kitchener attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(43 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Dan Stevens attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(44 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Julian Fellowes attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(45 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Jim Carter attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(46 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Lily James attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(47 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Lily James attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(48 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Dan Stevens attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(49 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Lesley Nicol attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates "Downton Abbey" - Red Carpet Arrivals(50 of55)
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RICHMOND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Jim Carter attends as BAFTA celebrate 'Downton Abbey' at Richmond Theatre on August 11, 2015 in Richmond, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(51 of55)
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Laura Carmichael and Michelle Dockery arrive at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(52 of55)
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Brendan Coyle and Joy Harrison arrive at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(53 of55)
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Brendan Coyle and Joy Harrison arrive at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(54 of55)
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Dame Maggie Smith arrives at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey - London(55 of55)
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Raquel Cassidy shields Fifi Hart from the rain whilst arriving at the BAFTA Downton Abbey Celebration at the Richmond Theatre - London (credit:David Jensen/EMPICS Entertainment)
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