George Clooney to appear in Downton Abbey Christmas scene for Text Santa charity appeal

The actor will try to kiss the Dowager Countess

There's a famous face at Downton Abbey (ITV )

If you’re a Downton Abbey fan there are few things that could improve the period drama – except perhaps a cameo from George Clooney.

He may no longer be a bachelor but tonight the Hollywood actor is set to make the ladies go weak at the knees in a specially written Christmas scene for ITV’s Text Santa live charity appeal.

And the Gravity star won’t be the only famous face making an appearance, as Joanna Lumley and Mr Selfridge actor Jeremy Piven will also appear in the fundraising sketch.

It has already been revealed that Clooney will attempt to kiss Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess, causing the usually composed Violet to tumble to the floor.

Absolutely Fabulous actress Lumley admitted she was not immune to Clooney’s charms either. "I immediately became completely Mills and Boon: and though I think I was pretty cool, ( 'Hi! George! I'm Joanna!'), as soon as he went out we all screamed like schoolgirls: 'OMG! OMG!'," she said.

"He was charming in a way you only find in fairy stories: he did photographs and selfies with every single person, he knew his lines and made them golden. When he kissed all the way up Dame Maggie's arm, and she fell off the sofa onto the floor, we knew that paradise was there on earth, that day, at Downton Abbey."

Other highlights tonight will include a sketch from the Birds of a Feather cast, a cameo in Coronation Street from by Mel B and presenter Phillip Schofield climbing the Shard.

Text Santa starts at 8pm tonight on ITV, with the proceeds going to six charities.

To find out how to donate visit: http://www.itv.com/textsanta/donate