The creators of Downton Abbey have been ordered to 'leave God out' of the show, in case it upsets viewers.

Alastair Bruce, the show's historical advisor, has revealed that television executives were worried that any mention of religion might alienate the largely atheist viewing public and so banned any mention of God.

On the hit show, the Crawley family are never shown sitting down to dinner, and are only seen already seated at the table.

On the hit show Downton Abbey, the Crawley family are never shown sitting down to dinner, and are only seen already seated at the table. This is because in order to be historically correct, they would have to be shown saying grace - something that producers were told to avoid

Set in the 1920s and in the aftermath of the First World War, a family of the Crawley's standing would have no most likely been religious. But executives were ordered to 'leave God out' of the show, in case it upsets viewers

This, Mr Bruce says, is because in order to be historically correct, they would have to be shown saying grace - something that producers were told to avoid.

Set in the 1920s and in the aftermath of the First World War, a family of the Crawley's standing would have no doubt been religious.

But Mr Bruce said the ban on religion even went as far as the table dressing - with napkins folded in the shape of a bishop's mitre outlawed executives.

Some of the only scenes where God or religion is alluded to, is those in which the characters marry.

Mr Bruce told the Telegraph: 'We never see the beginning of a luncheon or a dinner, because no one was ever allowed to see a grace being said, and I would never allow them to sit down without having said grace.

Alastair Bruce, the show's historical advisor, has revealed that television executives were worried that any mention of religion might alienate the largely atheist viewing public

'I think that the view was that we'd leave religion out of it, and it would've taken extra time too. I suggested a Latin grace, but they decided that was too far, and no one would've known what was going on.'

'Everyone panics when you try to do anything religious on the telly.'

Mr Bruce, also a royal commentator, said the panic about featuring religion also extended to the name of the show, recalling serious discussions over whether using the word 'Abbey' in the title would lead people to think it was about nuns and monks.

Mr Bruce was speaking ahead of the the launch of a DVD of the latest series, on which he presents a video guide to Downton etiquette.

Downton Abbey comes to an end later this year, with a feature-length Christmas edition set to be the show's last ever episode.