In the absence of further details regarding 'Mr Bates the Real Story', Mr Bates could be any number of things. He might be a character from a specific place or time period. It could be that he was involved in a historical event, and this 'real story' is about uncovering the truth about him. He could have been an artist, a scientist, or just an ordinary person with an extraordinary story that someone has decided to document as 'Mr Bates the Real Story'.
Definitely fiction. Downton Abbey creates a fictional world with made-up characters and events, although it may draw inspiration from historical periods and social contexts.
Without more information, it's hard to say exactly who Mr Bates was. He could have been an employee at the post office, like a postal worker or a manager.
Yes, there is. The 'Downton Abbey' novel offers a deeper exploration of the characters and the world of the famous TV series. It delves into the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in more detail, allowing fans to further immerse themselves in the story.
Fiction. While it draws on historical context, a lot of the specific storylines and characters are fictional. The relationships between the Crawley family members and the servants are often dramatized for entertainment. The individual dramas, like the love affairs and family feuds, are mostly made up to create an engaging plot. For instance, not every aristocratic family had the same kind of family secrets and romances as the Crawleys in the show.