Have you ever wondered why the characters on Downton Abbey rarely touch each other? Oh, I bet you have. "I love Downton Abbey, I just...I wish there were more touching? Like, I wish the characters touched each others' bodies more, If that makes sense." God, you're gross. Anyway, there's a reason why they don't, according to the show's historical expert.

Alistair Bruce, who is in charge of the show's etiquette and historical accuracy, recently spoke to some BBC radio show about the reason behind the lack of touching. It's historical! Here's what he said, from the Telegraph:

"I tell the actors not to touch each other," Mr Bruce told the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show. "I don't want any hugging, no physical contact; they just didn't do that in those days. "The reason they didn't is because it wasn't that long before then that disease was spread so much more easily. We hug, kiss – good Lord you meet somebody now and they kiss you within minutes – and it's because we've got antibiotics. But I don't think people realize how distant natural life was for the British in that period."

"It is important getting the detail right and the pressure does increase, Bruce added. "People long to find error." Very true, Alistair.

So. Are you satisfied with that answer, you pervert?

[image via ITV]