Sue Johnston has revealed she gets jealous of her co-stars' outfits on Downton Abbey.

The 70-year-old actress, who has made her debut on the ITV period drama as no-nonsense maid Gladys Denker, gets to wear a dowdy uniform for her role.

"I did look enviously at the beautiful clothes they had on. I don't mind whether I am 'upstairs' or 'downstairs'. The only difference is you'd have had nicer frocks if you were upstairs," she told The Sun.

Sue, who has appeared in Coronation Street, The Royle Family and Brookside, is glad she hasn't been typecast in roles.

"I feel lucky I haven't been pigeon-holed. And often people don't want to be," she said.

"I feel privileged to have played different things - because it's less boring that way. As you get older, I think the parts you're offered are more interesting actually - but there are so few, and so many of us (women). So it always remains tricky."