love with Alfred, but is impeded by the new kitchen maid, Ivy Stuart, whom Alfred is quick to develop a crush on. He often helps Ivy in the kitchen with his culinary skills, much to Daisy's ire. Alfred's largest rival is fellow footman Jimmy Kent, who is shorter than Alfred, but quite handsome. They are both in competition for the top position of first footman, which Jimmy is constantly sabotaging Alfred for. But because Ivy has a crush on Jimmy, Alfred decides to confront Jimmy about the fact that he's not interested in her. When he pushes into Jimmy's room, he catches Thomas Barrow in the act of trying to kiss Jimmy. Horrified, Alfred is pressured by his aunt, O'Brien, to report the incident to Carson, as homosexuality is considered a crime at this time. Poor Alfred is used as a pawn in his aunt's scheming, which eventually comes to nothing. In the series three Christmas Special, he tries to call Jimmy off his aggressive streak towards Thomas, and then spends the rest of the episode talking about his interest in cooking. In series Four, Alfred pursues that interest and leaves Downton to become a chef at the Ritz. Also in series four, Alfred is still caught up in the downstairs "love square". He is in love with Ivy, who is in love with Jimmy, while Daisy is in love with Alfred and determined to break them up. It takes Alfred too long to realise that Daisy was the better match, and only tries to approach her when he comes back to the Abbey after leaving for his cooking course. Daisy initially tried to avoid seeing Alfred at all, but eventually speaks to him and wishes him well as a friend. In the Christmas Special, she receives a letter from Alfred, implying that they keep in touch. James "Jimmy" Kent Jimmy Kent (played by Ed Speleers) was one of two new footmen introduced in series three, after the end of World War I. Before the war, he worked for Lady Anstruther and was her favourite footman. He first appears onscreen after Lord Grantham has given Carson permission to hire another footman in addition to Alfred Nugent. Turning up in the servants' hall unannounced, his good looks and charm quickly impress a number of the maids—as well as Thomas Barrow, currently valet to Lord Grantham. Thomas is quickly drawn to Jimmy,