AN HISTORIC castle is finally due to appear on television as the final series of ITV's hit drama Mr Selfridge airs.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the fourth and final season will feature scenes shot at the famous retailer's home at Highcliffe Castle.

And it has been confirmed that the imposing property will appear in the second episode, due to be aired on January 15 at 9pm.

Filming took place at the castle in April 2015 when Jeremy Piven and other cast members acted out scenes with Highcliffe Castle as a background. The castle was closed to the public for the two days of the filming.

Harry Gordon Selfridge, originally from Wisconsin, lived at Highcliffe Castle with his wife Rosalie, his mother Lois and his son Gordon from 1916 to 1922 amid fears of Zeppelin raids during the First World War.

Although he was only a tenant and used the property as a weekend retreat, he installed modern bathrooms and a kitchen and had central heating fitted.

Rosalie died in 1918 and was buried at St Mark’s church in Highcliffe.

At the height of his fortune Harry bought Hengistbury Head, then part of Christchurch, and Stanpit Marsh, but sold them in 1930 following the Great Depression.

He had planned to build the biggest house in the world on Hengistbury Head, a property which would have cost £90 million in today's money.

But the plan was never carried out and the high-living Selfridge eventually lost his fortune, living in a flat on Putney Heath by the time of his death in 1947. He is buried along with his wife and mother at St Mark’s.

Programme Mr Selfridge details the turbulent life of the entrepreneur, who spent £400,000 building up the famous department store in Oxford Street.

Highcliffe Castle’s manager David Hopkins said: “We were delighted to host ITV for location filming at Highcliffe Castle for Mr Selfridge. We look forward very much to seeing the results.”