Rob James-Collier has revealed that it took seven months to land a new acting job after Downton Abbey ended.

The actor played butler Thomas Barrow in the hit period drama.

But Rob told The Sun that a plum role on a primetime show didn’t guarantee work the moment he left Downton.

The former Corrie star, who has signed up to ITV crime thriller The Level, said: “I didn’t work for seven months after Downton.

“I could have been waiting for three years, you just don’t know. But this thankfully came along.”

His comments come after Jim Carter struggled to find work since appearing on Downton Abbey as Mr Carter.

Rob stars alongside Lindsey Coulson and Philip Glenister in the new drama.

He said of auditioning for The Level: “I always try to do something new and something different and fortunately they picked me.”