Downton Abbey lead the British invasion at Screen Actor’s Guild Awards show

Downton Abbey lot to accept Hollywood plaudits.

Another week, another awards show!

Last week, as you were having your Burns Night haggis, neeps and tatties, I was busy toasting the lassies at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards.

Unfortunately there was no haggis served at the bash,

That’s right, they’re called the SAG Awards. Am I the only one who sees the irony in this ceremony being referred to as the one thing no one here dares do?

These ceremonies are coming thick and fast now as we get closer and closer to the Oscars on February 22. And last week’s event was a bit of a mini-British invasion.

The Theory Of Everything star, man of the moment, and the nice chap I spoke to last week in this very column, Eddie Redmayne, picked up the gong for Best Actor.

An interesting stat is that since 1994 the SAG recipient has gone on to triumph at the Oscars 16 times.

How does that affect my predictions coupon for the Oscars? Like Kim Kardashian doing her tax return, I’ve got a lot of thinking to do.

I previously thought Michael Keaton was a shoo-in, and I’ll let you know my full final Oscars predictions up on the day.

Whatever happens, I’ll love it! I’ll be there on the night with my bookies slip in hand.

The other big Brit winner at the SAG was Downton Abbey, which cemented its place as a firm favourite on both sides of the Atlantic.

The show won Best Ensemble, to add to the National Television Awards Best Drama gong they picked up in London a couple of days prior.

I was lucky enough to get a chat with some of its stars, as well as its genius writer, Julian Fellowes.

He must be getting used to sitting through acceptance speeches with all the awards he’s won.

“I’ve made quite a lot of speeches. One of the advantages of being a little better known is you can support charities. It’s part of the job.

“I’m relieved when the speeches are over though. I’d rather do them at the beginning of the show so I can enjoy my dinner.

“Otherwise you just have to sit there not drinking or enjoying your dinner!”

There was one interloper on stage when the Downton Abbey cast went on stage.

Allen Leech, who plays hunky chauffeur Tom Branson, took the opportunity to thank the Downton cast who let him join them on stage.

Allen was actually sitting at the table for The Imitation Game, in which he also appears, with Benedict Cumberbatch.

It must have felt like hanging out with a new group of cool mates, only to see your old pals having a better time.

Thankfully, the Downton cast are nice bunch and quickly forgave Allen!