William Hickey

Bringing the gossip since 1933

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WHILE Hugh Bonneville describes the third and final Downton Abbey film as a “proper tribute” to his late screen mother Dame Maggie Smith, pictured with him right, the formidable actress would doubtless be displeased to hear she’s also been accused of telling porkies by her co-star.

When obliged to discuss playing Violet Crawley in the show, Dame Maggie, who died last September aged 89, would delight in snootily telling the media that she “never watched” Downton.

Hugh, however, begs to differ, now mischievously suggesting: “She claimed she never watched it — but I think she did!”

FILMING her role as the Duchess of Windsor for upcoming movie The Bitter End, Dame Joan Collins proudly points out she’s been basing her portrayal on a first-hand account from the time.