Downton Abbey star Michael Fox candidly confessed "I don't think I fully got over that" as he reminisced about a mishap with Dame Maggie Smith on set.

Known for his role as Andy Parker, Violet Crawley's footman, he first graced the ITV show in its fifth series and continued through to the last, with a return expected in the upcoming third film.

Discussing his memories during an interview on BBC The One Show with host Clara Amfo, Michael recalled a particularly unforgettable incident with Maggie, who sadly passed away in September last year.

Clara went on to say: "Michael it would be rude of us not to speak about Downton Abbey. Now the film is due this year and it's the third and final Downton movie, and as we know last year we sadly lost the late Dame Maggie Smith."

Highlighting Michael's on-screen relationship with Maggie, she mentioned: "Now when it comes to working with Maggie, you weren't really the best footman for her in your character as Andy."

Michael began his recollection: "You know, working with Maggie was an extraordinary thing and as a young actor coming in, I was a bit of a bag of nerves", reports .

Then he shared a moment from the set, admitting: "There was one moment on set where I basically nearly pulled her (Maggie) over completely.

"I put a cloak on her and they said, 'Can we go again?' and I pulled the cloak and she nearly went over. Then she said, 'Can we just sort out this bit with the purse?' and I closed her fingers into the purse. I don't think I fully got over that."

Reflecting on her passing, he expressed: "It was really amazing to read all the tributes that came out about her and I feel very, very proud to have worked with her."

Maggie's final appearance stirred emotions among Downton Abbey aficionados as they bid farewell to her character in the franchise's second and latest film.

Fans can expect the third instalment of Downton Abbey to hit screens in September this year, promising the return of Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery along with Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Penelope Wilton and Lesley Nicol.

The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer