Call The Midwife viewers joked that they needed to take a sick day after the emotional finale to the series.
The BBC drama’s seventh run ended with a tear-jerking instalment that saw the midwives of Nonnatus House still reeling from the death of Barbara.
The character, played by Charlotte Ritchie since 2015, passed away last week after contracting septicaemia.
Other moving scenes followed an elderly widow struggling to care for his friend with Alzheimer’s.
Viewers admitted they were in floods watching the episode.
One fan posted on Twitter: “Punched in the heart once more by #CallTheMidwife. I love it because it tackles challenging issues still relevant today in a strong and poignant manner. Plus there is no weak link in the cast; everyone is simply superb.”
Punched in the heart once more by #CallTheMidwife. I love it because it tackles challenging issues still relevant today in a strong and poignant manner. Plus there is no weak link in the cast; everyone is simply superb. I’m sad to see it go
— Harley Hodges (@Harleyahodges) March 11, 2018
“Can I phone in sick to work tomorrow because I couldn’t cope with #callthemidwife tonight?!” wondered another viewer.
Can I phone in sick to work tomorrow because I couldn’t cope with #callthemidwife tonight?! 😭😭😭
— Penny Burnard 🍉 (@PennyBurnard) March 11, 2018
One upset fan tweeted: “Me and my husband were actually sobbing watching #callthemidwife tonight. Why do we do it to ourselves.”
Me and my husband were actually sobbing 😭 watching #callthemidwife tonight. Why do we do it to ourselves. pic.twitter.com/a6mnBjUbU2
— Susan Taylor (@SUtayl) March 11, 2018
Viewers were also wondering how to cope without their fix from Nonnatus House every week.
Many said they were counting down to the Christmas special.
“I don’t even want to delete #callthemidwife from my recordings. It just seems too final. I will miss them all,” said one fan.
I don't even want to delete #callthemidwife from my recordings. It just seems too final. I will miss them all.
— Angie Reeves (@bobcrazydaisy) March 11, 2018
Once again @CallTheMidwife1 broke me…there are no adequate words😭😭 How many days is it until Christmas? #callthemidwife
— wendywales (@wendywales) March 11, 2018
One person posted: “Once again @CallTheMidwife1 broke me…there are no adequate words. How many days is it until Christmas?”