DORSET writer Julian Fellowes will see his creation Downton Abbey honoured by Bafta later this year.

The prestigious group will hold a special tribute night, attended by the cast and crew of the hit show, on August 11.

The event will be shown on ITV later this year.

Lord Fellowes’ creation will end this year after six series – it has been a global hit for ITV in both the US and UK.

But it has never won a major Bafta award.

It features a mixture of established stars including Dame Maggie Smith and helped launch the careers of actors including Michelle Dockery, Lily James and Dan Stevens.

The show follows the fortunes of the Crawley family, and the people who work for them, from the sinking of the Titanic through the First World War and beyond.

It has also featured guest appearances by names including Kiri Te Kanawa, Shirley MacLaine and - in a sketch for an ITV charity show - George Clooney.

Bafta’s chief executive Amanda Berry said: "I am delighted that Bafta is paying tribute to Downton Abbey, an extraordinary series that has flown the flag for British drama since 2010. Our tribute will take us backstage with the cast and crew to reveal what's made it both a national treasure and a global phenomenon."

Executive producer Gareth Neame said: "As Downton Abbey moves towards its conclusion with the final season this autumn, I speak for the entire cast and crew when I say how honoured we are that the Academy will recognise the show with this special award.

"Not only is Downton a much-loved show in Britain, it has had huge success in both the US and right around the world, waving the flag for Britain and our creative content and that's why the Bafta recognition means so much to us all."

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