Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol has joined forces with ITV's This Morning and the Dogs Trust to front its Give A Dog A Home appeal, which will help find homes for some dogs abandoned over the Christmas period.

Nicol commented 'This is such a worthy cause, and one I'm very passionate about. It breaks my heart to see any animal suffering and it's fantastic that This Morning are helping to find homes for them too. I've got a rescue dog, and they change your life actually, they really do'.