Downton Abbey star headed to Melbourne Cup

If it’s nearing Melbourne Cup, then it must be time for an international name to hit our shores as Seven’s guest.

This year it’s Allen Leech, who plays chauffeur turned estate manager Tom Branson in Downton Abbey.

“From an early age horse racing has been a major part of my life, from my grandfather’s tips to my mother’s own horses. The Melbourne Cup has always been spoken about in the same way as the Gold Cup, the 1000 Guineas and the King George. I’m very excited to be able to be there and witness it first-hand,” he said.

As well as his Cup Day commitments, Leech will promote the fourth season of Downton Abbey, to premiere on Seven in 2014. The show is already airing in the UK.

“The world is still a place of constant change and Branson finds himself trying to deal with his lack of identity both socially and politically. In this world, his new responsibilities also mean he has to relive past sorrows to help the Crawley family.”