Christmas at Downton Abbey by various artists

For fans of the hit TV show, this is an absolute festive must-have. The 45-track double-LP Christmas At Downton Abbey features hymns, carols and seasonal tracks by actors Julian Ovenden (Charles Blake), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora, Countess of Grantham) and Jim Carter (Mr Carson). While McGovern is no stranger to singing (she’s already released a record as frontwoman of folk-country group Sadie And The Hotheads), it is arguably Jim Carter who is the star of the two CDs, when he closes the first disc with a read of Clement Clarke Moore’s ’Twas The Night Before Christmas. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who made a guest appearance on the ITV series, also contributes, as does the Choir of Kings College, while the show’s theme tune has been adapted as a two-part festive number, performed by the Budapest City Orchestra. The perfect back-track to your family festivities.

8/10 – Katy Pearson