This article contains spoilers.
Call the Midwife's finale featured a harrowing storyline that many could emphasise with and relate to when Elsie Dyer lost her battle against oesophagus cancer in last night's devastating episode.
Stephen McGann - who plays Dr Turner in the popular midwifery drama and is married to the show's creator Heidi Thomas - revealed the episode was influenced by his and Heidi's own experience when Heidi's mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the oesophagus last year.
In an emotional and revealing tweet, the actor informed fans and followers: "Personal disclosure. We nursed Heidi's mum last year with terminal cancer of the oesophagus. A grim, important, tender, horrific journey. As many of you will know. xxx"
The star was inundated with support and messages of love on Twitter, with one viewer commenting: "Heidi, and the whole cast and crew, knocked it out of the park once again. Beautiful and poignant television. Call the Midwife is the BBC at its best."
Some fans shared their own devastating experience of losing loved ones to cancer, and thanked Heidi for tackling such an important subject so delicately.
"#CallTheMidwife handles delicate subjects with courage and grace. I lost my grandpa in the early 1980s from esophageal #cancer. My sympathies to you both," one wrote.
"Yes, my mother in law died from the same 4 years ago. It was beautifully portrayed. As is every subject. Always so sad when the final episode is over. You’re all marvellous," another added.
The episode had viewers in floods of tears as Ann Mitchell's Elsie rapidly deteriorated while in the care of Jennifer Kirby's Nurse Valerie.
The season 9 finale also had an uplifting and empowering scene when Helen George's Trixie Franklin fights against budget cuts threatening the closure of Nonnatus House. Fans praised Helen's commanding performance.
Call the Midwife will return for a Christmas special later this year and be back for season 10 in 2021.
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