According to the Daily Mail, demand for British butlers has more than doubled in the past two years as the UK – and the other countries across the world – fall under the trance of popular TV show Downton Abbey.

Sara Vestin Rahamani, director of London domestic and household staff agency Bespoke Bureau, told the paper the firm had “never experienced demand like we have seen this year”, while Guild of British Butlers head Anthony Seddon-Holland said its courses were fully booked until next year.

City headhunters must be hoping for a smash hit show featuring investment bankers to stir up some interest in the new year TV schedule…

The full report on the surge in butler recruitment is available on the Daily Mail's website.