Could Michelle Obama be Downton Abbey's Biggest Fan?

She may be busy supporting the world's most powerful man but it seems that Michelle Obama still finds a way to catch up on her favourite TV programmes.

But rather than indulging in American sitcoms, the first lady of the United States prefers drama of a very British kind.

President Obama's wife is such a big fan of Downton Abbey that she begged ITV chiefs to send over the third series ahead of its official US launch date, the Sun reports.

The couple are apparently so hooked on the British costume drama that Michelle wrote to ITV1 requesting some DVDs of the new episodes before it airs in America on 6 January.

An ITV spokesperson told the paper: "We'd heard the Obamas liked to watch it but we were very surprised when someone from the First Lady's office got in touch asking for the series.

"They were very polite and we were more than happy to sort out some DVDs to send over."

Although the show bosses were more than obliging, they hoped the Obamas would be able to keep the big finale under wraps for the rest of the overseas fans.

The hit drama charts the upstairs, downstairs goings on in a great British household and centres around a younger Lord Robert and Lady Cora Grantham, played by Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern.

Earlier this year, Bonneville and McGovern were special guest of President Obama at his White House dinner for David Cameron.