David Robb was supposed to go to Sandhurst and join the Scots Guards but instead rebelled and went to drama college in London during the 60s.

He was however, out of step with the rest of his contemporaries, however much fun he was having, posh boys being notorioulsy out of fashion as the likes of O Toole, Finney, Allan Bates took centre stage and the kitchen sink drama took off. There was little call for toffs.

But as with all trends the pendulum has swung back the other way and David Robb climbed aboard both Wolf Hall and Downton Abbey, enjoying his moment in the sun.

He does however refuse to accede that while being currently in favour, his longevity and constant workload over the past 40 years, is something to celebrate, or that the fame singles him out.

"“People sometimes say “Is it you?” on the Tube. But usually they don’t recognise me without the moustache," he chuckles.

Ironically of course, his character in Downton is the only middle-class part, one that his friend Julian Fellowes offered as being "somewhere in the middle"

"No one knew what Downton would do or how far it would go. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time,” David smiles, eyes twinkling. So did he enjoy it? "When your first scene is with Maggie Smith it would have been daft not to."