Call The Midwife viewers were beside themselves after nurse Barbara Hereward succumbed to septicaemia and died at the end of last night’s episode.
Fans sobbed on their sofas as Barbara – played for four years by Charlotte Ritchie – was tended to by curate husband Tom and friend Phyllis as she quietly passed away, tweeting the show ‘would never be the same again’.
In desperately sad scenes, Barbara had been seen contracting meningitis before developing septicaemia.
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The future of her midwifery career was sealed once her fingers started to blacken as the tissue in her extremities began to die.
But as it became clear Barbara would not make it at all, viewers turned to social media to express their shock at the beloved character’s rapid illness and demise, just two weeks after she and her husband had returned to Poplar.
The outpouring of tweets mourning Barbara continued to flow for hours and hours after the drama finished on BBC One.
Bravo @BBC tonights #callthemidwife was outstanding! You even had me bubbling 😢…so very touching. Looking forward to next week’s episode 💕
— Fiona McL (@fi_mclu) March 4, 2018
Absolutely breaking my heart just now @CallTheMidwife1 you will be dearly missed @Charitchie Call the Midwife will never be the same 😭💔 #CallTheMidwife
— Liv Jane (@wee_liv) March 4, 2018
Clearly, a few tears were spilt for Barbara:
@BBCOne @CallTheMidwife1 omg I’ve cried buckets tonight along with 10 million more poor Barbara #callthemidwife
— Kate Powell (@MrsK8Powell) March 4, 2018
I’ve never cried this much before #callthemidwife
— Whovi loved Barbara 😭 (@Ikrere1) March 4, 2018
And several fans felt a need for further support after Barbara’s loss.
Oh, Call the Midwife, I’m in bits. How could you?
Off to find a support group ⚰— Nik Mac (@Nik_M_Macdonald) March 5, 2018
I think a support group is needed for call the midwife fans right now. #CallTheMidwife
— William norman (@williambear444) March 4, 2018
While viewers were sad for Tom, many also felt Phyllis – who took over speaking the words of Barbara’s husband’s prayer as he faltered while watching his wife slip away – proved herself to be the rock of Nonnatus House once again.
#callthemidwife Phyllis is definitely someone you’d want in your lifeboat #someonegiveherahug
— Kath #FBPE (@drunkkath) March 5, 2018
I love every single character on #CallTheMidwife they all make my heart burst with love ❤❤❤ especially Phyllis
— jenna (@jenbri17) March 5, 2018
Last nights #callthemidwife was termed heartbreaking on Twitter for many reasons but for me it was when Phyllis realised what Tom wanted the dying Barbara to hear. Great writing & acting by the cast.
— Connie Nolan (@feistywomankent) March 5, 2018
However, the impact of Barbara’s death soon hit Phyllis as the news spread to their other colleagues, seen embracing as a group to support one another.
Slipping away to sit on the steps outside, the formidable Phyllis broke down in devastation, mirroring the sadness sweeping through those watching at home.
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Call The Midwife continues next week on BBC One at 8pm.
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