Julian Fellowes has said having George Clooney star in a Downton Abbey special was a "great privilege".
The ITV period drama's creator heaped praise onto the star for filming a cameo in a mini-episode, in aid of ITV's Text Santa charity.
He stated it was "sweet" of him to agree to appear in the Christmas show.
Speaking at a Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund charity screening of Downton last night in London's Leicester Square, he said: "He very, very, very kindly agreed to come and be part of a little special we did that supports the ITV group of charities.
"It was a great privilege and pleasure to have him on the set, and he was very sweet to do it."
He also joked that he only came onboard because he's friendly with Downton actor Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham.
"He and Hugh have just made 'Monuments Men' but he did seem to like the show, but he would say that wouldn't he?
"We all worked on it [the special episode] and it was marvellous."
Fans of Maggie Smith's character the Dowager Countess of Grantham can also rest assured that there's "no chance" she'll be killed off.
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