All is not well in Downton Abbey, judging by the latest clip.

Just ahead of the dramatic final episode due to air on Christmas Day, there’s been a murder.

As Lord Grantham and Isobel Crawley audition hopefuls to be the perfect Father Christmas for the Abbey, copper Vera shows up, played by Brenda Blethyn, to reveal there’s been a murder.

Mistaken for a homeless person after some free food, Vera reveals why she’s really visited the Abbey.


‘I’m DCI Stanhope Northumberland and City police pet,’ she says. ‘I’m here to investigate the murder.’

‘There hasn’t been a murder,’ Lord Grantham insists.



Oh but there has, Robert, there has.

‘It’s a stately home,’ Vera points out. ‘There’s always been a murder.’

The full sketch airs during Text Santa Christmas Jumper day on December 18 at 8pm on ITV. To donate £5 text SANTA5 to 70760 or donate online at itv.com.

Today, December 1, marks the day that Phil Schofield will be popping up on all ITV shows from 6am until 10pm. His Christmas jumper-clad self will be popping up in Emmerdale, Jeremy Kyle and The Chase, among other shows.

Spotted him yet? #PipKnit

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