Amy Nuttall scared of Downton lateness

Amy Nuttall was so terrified she would be late for her first day of filming 'Downton Abbey' she set three alarms.

The former 'Emmerdale' actress plays new housemaid Ethel in the ITV1 costume drama and says it would have been mortifying if she hadn't have been on time.

She said: "I had one of those sleeps where I felt I hadn't slept all night. I was very conscious of sleeping through my alarms - I had three set! I couldn't be late on my first day."

Amy admitted she wasn't let down when she arrived on location at Highclere Castle - where the series is shot - and couldn't believe how beautiful the stately home was.

She added: "When I glimpsed Highclere Castle for the first time it was breathtakingly amazing.

"It's even more gorgeous and beautiful in person. It's so big but the cameras make it look bigger still."

The star was also made to feel welcome by her fellow cast members, who include Dame Maggie Smith, Phyllis Logan and Joanne Froggatt.

She said: "I was in the first scene of the first day of the shoot and I was working with Dame Maggie Smith! I plumped a few cushions, said a few lines with the lovely Jo Froggatt and Phyllis Logan and then I had to curtsy when Violet came in."

'Downton Abbey' will return to ITV1 this autumn.