'Downton Abbey' star Lily James stays off Twitter to avoid trolls.

The 25-year-old actress claims she suffered upsetting abuse on the social networking site when she first joined the much-loved ITV drama as Lady Rose MacClare two years ago.

Lily James

The blonde-beauty - who previously starred in 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl' - has now left Twitter to avoid having to read negative comments about herself.

She told Radio Times magazine: "I was surprised people had an opinion about me, but now I don't want to engage with that stuff.

"The internet is not a real person, so why would you want to read it?"

Lily also explained that while she feels she must be able to block out negative comments about her in the press and on the internet, she doesn't want to change because she fears it may affect her acting ability.

She stated: "You have to develop a thick skin as an actor, but also have a thin one because you need to be vulnerable at times."

The actress is currently dating former 'Doctor Who' star Matt Smith, and spoke about her relationship with the 31-year-old confessing that the celebrity couple will never talk to the media about the status of their love lives.

She added: "Of course people are interested in our lives outside 'Downton'. Some actors don't care but I like to keep my private life separate."