Julian Fellowes' curious persuasion

Julian Fellowes has done well to persuade Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to play Dame Nelly Melba in Downton Abbey. One wonders whether he consulted Dame Nelly’s grandson, Lord Vestey, who is quite an expert on life in large country houses.

“Funnily enough, I saw Lord Vestey at something very recently, and we talked about Melba,” emails Lord Fellowes. “What an interesting bloodline. ”