First trailer for the final series of Downton Abbey is unveiled as Carson and Mrs Hughes' romance takes centre stage

The final series will air this September, and now Downton Abbey fans have got their first glimpse of the beloved characters bidding farewell.

ITV aired the first full trailer during the first episode of the new series of the X Factor on Saturday night.

Set to a tear-jerking rendition of Time To Say Goodbye by Lauren Aquilina, the one minute teaser features tears and laughter as upstairs and downstairs go through their final dramas at Downton.

The trailer opens with Hugh Bonneville's Lord Grantham mourning the passage of time with his loyal butler Carson (Jim Carter).

'If I could stop history in its tracks, maybe I would but I can't Carson, for you nor I can hold back time,' he says as Carson's name plate is seen being removed from his door.

Mrs Patmore's right-hand woman Daisy (Sophie McShera)is seen gazing up at a house with Mr Mason, hinting that she's making good on her plans from series five to move on from Downton and take over her father-in-law's farm.