The characters of Downton Abbey are getting in the festive mood. To support ITV’s annual charity appeal Text Santa, the cast of the popular TV show have put together their own festive take on the talent show Britain’s Got Talent, to help them search for the Abbey’s perfect Father Christmas.
The cast of Downton Abbey star in the Text Santa appeal
In the ten-minute clip Lord Grantham, Lady Edith Crawley and her aunt Isobel Crawley are the three tough judges who are given the task of choosing who should be Santa Claus for the holiday season. Stars such as Sir Bruce Forsyth, Jim Broadbent and Michelle Keegan turn up for the auditions but don’t quite have what it takes to fulfil the role.Just as the judges are about to give up in their search for a Santa, Carson the butler make a dramatic entrance to Bonnie Tyler’s Hero. Dressed as St Nick he jovially asks "Now who would like to sit on Santa’s knee?" Finally the three judges concede that the butler would be the best candidate to take on the role of Father Christmas.
The judge's go in search of the perfect Father Christmas for the Abbey
The short comedy sketch is in aid of the Text Santa appeal. The organisation aims to give hope to families that are in difficulty at this time of year. "From families affected by crisis, to granting wishes to children fighting life-threatening conditions, to funding nurses so those with cancer get the care they need. "Since it’s launch in 2011, Text Santa has given more the £21M to families here in the UK and in 20 other countries around the world. It also aims to raise awareness around the vital work provided by each charity that it supports.
