Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes reveals he now has to use a wheelchair after crippling health condition

DOWNTON Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has revealed he is now using a wheelchair in an emotional health update.

The star penned the period drama, which has drawn millions of viewers worldwide since launching in 2010.

But Lord Fellowes health has decline since he first began working on Downton Abbey - and he's now confined to a wheelchair.

He told : "It's true that I do spend too much time in a wheelchair these days."

The screenwriter suffers with spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in pressure on nerves and the spinal cord.

Lord Fellowes explained: "About 40 years ago, I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, probably resulting from an early slipped disc.

"I had an operation and, after quite a long convalescence, I was well again, dancing, riding and the rest.

"Unluckily, a couple of years ago, I was told the condition had returned and, after another operation, I was obliged to recognise that my powers of recovery at 75 were not quite what they had been at 35. Which, I suppose, is no great surprise."

Lord Fellowes added that while he's not "entirely immobile" he does have to remain sitting "for most of the time".

To date, a total of six series of Downton Abbey have aired as well as two feature-length movies.

A third film has already wrapped filming and slated for release in September of this year.

Last year The Sun exclusively revealed how Imelda Staunton won’t feature in the next instalment.

The actress played Lady Maud Bagshaw in the first two movies, before taking on arguably her most famous role as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix hit series The Crown.

Meanwhile, Hugh Bonneville previously teased how the third Downton Abbey film will be 'the best yet'.

He said: "It's got the usual tropes, if you like, of thrills and spills in a very Downtown way - which means spilling a tea cup, pretty much!

"I think it'll certainly be the best iteration of the film versions yet."