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DOWNTON Abbey ­favourite Dame Maggie Smith will have to consider her future after being rushed to ­hospital with crippling chest pains.

Dame Maggie – Violet Crawley in the hit ITV1 period drama – was taken to a specialist ­cardiac unit after complaining of severe pains, the Sunday Mirror can reveal.

The 77-year-old star was ­admitted to the private Wellington Hospital in London on Friday ­morning and underwent a series of ­emergency tests. She was discharged later on Friday after her condition was monitored and stabilised by medics.

The health scare will add to fears that she will not return for the show’s fourth series.

In her role as the grand Dowager Countess of Grantham, the award-winning actress has played a major part in the huge success of Downton Abbey, which has nine ­million viewers in the UK and is watched around the world.

It has a huge following in the US. But after a glittering 60-year career, she will have to consider advice from doctors before deciding whether she should sign up to the next series following the climax of the third season tonight.

A source close to the star said: “It was a big scare for Maggie and she was really worried because she was in a lot of pain.

“It was extremely distressing for her but she did the right thing and made sure she got to hospital as soon as possible.

“Maggie loves her work and her performances in Downton have helped make it a worldwide success.

“But she will have to think very carefully now about whether she stays in the show. Her health always comes first and I am sure she will take advice from the experts.”

(Image: Getty)

Our source said: “Maggie was in the best possible hands at the ­Wellington Hospital.

“It was ­obviously a worrying time for her but she ­underwent all the tests possible. ­She was only discharged when the ­cardiologist was completely satisfied she was OK.”

Dame Maggie, who has been ­widowed twice and previously fought breast cancer, was awarded the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series award at the 64th Emmy Awards in Hollywood in September.

In an interview in 2009 she said she contemplated giving up theatre after being “knocked sideways” by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Talking about the cancer, which was diagnosed in 2008, she said: “It leaves you so flattened.

“I’m not sure I could go back to theatre work, ­ although film work is more tiring. I feel very ­uncertain.

“It knocks you sideways. I am fearful of the amount of energy one needs to be in a film or a play.”

Dame Maggie, who has two sons, added: “The last couple of years have been a write-off, though I’m beginning to feel like a person now.”

Before her latest health scare, there were already rumours Dame Maggie may not be returning to Downton Abbey for its fourth series. When asked about the speculation, series creator Julian Fellowes said: “I can’t tell you, ‘Oh, yes, she’s ­definitely contracted because she isn’t. It’s entirely up to her when she stays and when she goes.

Professor

“With Maggie, you never know. Others sign on for the next series and they sign for this and they sign for that, but she doesn’t. She stays her own person. But as far as I’m ­concerned I hope she stays with the show until ­Downton falls down.”

Her long list of film credits includes The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, A Room with a View, and Gosford Park. She also played ­Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.