Discussing the possibility of the show returning in 2012 for a third series, Fellowes told the Radio Times: “I would like to think that we will be back next year.”

The writer continued: “The original concept in my optimistic head was for the first series to start towards the end of the Edwardian era, the second to be set during World War One and the third in the 1920s. In the ’20s there are big changes, new inventions, different expectations I can’t wait to explore.”

Episode 5 of Series 2 airs at 9pm on Sunday on ITV1 and sees Branson declare his feelings for Sybil.

Fellowes also insisted that the show has not dumbed down in order to bring in The X Factor‘s audience on Sunday nights: “There are still references that younger members of the audience may not understand, and I don’t feel the need to explain them because I like the idea of inspiring people to go on the internet and look them up…”

He added: “We were expecting most of the X Factor audience to turn off and the fact that they haven’t is fantastic.”

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