Downton Abbey's Coyle hates camera-phones phenomenon

'Downton Abbey' star Brendan Coyle hates being filmed by fans with camera phones.

Coyle, who plays John Bates in the hit period drama, doesn't mind people having a photograph with him, but he detests the fact "every single f***er on the planet" is able to record footage of him while he's out and about.

He said: "One thing I'm really keen not to do is complain about the fact that I got a job that's made me very successful.

"But what I will say is that every single f****r on the planet has a camera. I posed for about 40 photographs yesterday. I don't mind stopping for a photograph, yes, sure."

Despite the annoyance of being filmed, the 48-year-old star is very grateful for doing a job he loves by starring in the ITV1 period drama.

He added: "Any actor who told you that he didn't want to get a hit show is a liar. It's rare beyond belief.

"To get to do what you want at all is rare. Most of our struggles revolve around getting to do what we want to do, and be with the people we want to be with.

"These are our designs for life. I want to be with people who make me happy and do the things I want to do."