Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville made a surprise visit to a Palmerston North high school today to meet one of the show's biggest fans.

The British actor, who plays Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in the smash hit costume drama, flew into Palmerston North this morning to surprise local school girl Lauren Hutchinson.

The Palmerston North Girls' High student had no idea Bonneville would be making an appearance during her school assembly and turn the spotlight on her.

"We've been planning it for weeks actually," said Bonneville, who was dressed in a Downton appropriate tweed jacket. "I was just nervous that she would call in sick today or something."

Hutchinson frequently tweets about the show on her Twitter account, @DowntonAbbey_.

But she was none the wiser to the special guest headed her way last night, tweeting "@hughbon needs to tell us where he is NZ".

Bonneville had earlier tweeted: "I can't stand those tweets which go 'I'm doing something really exciting tomorrow but I can't tell you what yet'. This is one of them."

Bonneville, who missed out on a best actor gong at this week's Emmy Awards, is in New Zealand to promote Downton Abbey's upcoming third season on Prime.

A charity auction to have high tea with the star during his visit recently attracted a winning bid of $2710.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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