Downton Abbey has brought history alive for millions of its viewers from the sinking of The Titanic to the horrors of World War One, but it has sometimes got it wrong.

Historians have said the relationships between some of the servants and members of the aristocratic Crawley family have been too familiar, while others have picked holes in plotlines.

There has also been criticism of on-screen bloopers with a car from the 1920s seen driving down a road in pre-war Britain while sharp-eyed viewers have spotted double yellow lines and TV aerials in the background.

(@downtonabbey/Twitter)
Oops (@downtonabbey/Twitter)

Most famously, a promotional photograph for the show was issued last year showing stars Hugh Bonneville and Laura Carmichael in their aristocratic finery complete with a very modern bottle of water on the mantelpiece behind them.

The cast took the gaffe in good heart and later posed for another picture – with them all carrying bottles of water.

The cast of Downton Abbey posing with water bottles to raise awareness of WaterAid
The cast of Downton Abbey posed for a picture promoting WaterAid (Handout)