Downton star gets down to baking

Lesley Nicol (left) baking biscuits at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, with appeals coordinator Lisa Pearson, cook Pauline Casey, volunteer Iris Last and cook Gail Robertshaw

“DOWNTON Abbey” star Lesley Nicol dished up a treat in Dr Kershaw’s Hospice’s kitchen.

The actress, who plays cook Mrs Patmore in the Golden Globe-winning hit television drama became the hospice’s new patron yesterday.

She met the hard-working volunteers at the Royton hospice and tried her hand at baking on her first visit.

Delighted with her new role, the smiling celebrity hopes to cook up prize money from Vernon Kay on “All-Star Family Fortunes” — with filming scheduled for this weekend.