BBC Happy Valley fans were left disappointed by an announcement made just before the opening credits rolled on Sunday.
Viewers have been left gripped each week, as the gritty BBC drama has returned with an episode every Sunday night since January 1. And all eyes are now on Tommy Lee Royce following his escape from prison.
His return to the show, despite being in prison, came after Sergeant Catherine Cawood discovered that her grandson Ryan, and her late daughter's rapist, was visiting his dad behind bars. And in what was another huge blow to Catherine, it transpired it was her sister, Clare, and her partner, Neil, who had facilitated the visits.
READ MORE: Happy Valley Tommy Lee Royce star's famous fiancée and 'life-threatening' condition
After this series' fourth episode saw Tommy escape from the dock while up in court for another murder, the evil character is now on the run, and likely to target Ryan and Catherine.
But as people settled in to watch the show, they were left "gutted". Ahead of the opening credits, a BBC announcer said: "Lock the door, silence the phone, and nobody speak to me. I've been waiting all week.
"Now on BBC One, with strong language, and scenes which some viewers may find upsetting, the penultimate ever episode."
Taking to Twitter, Michael said: "Never have the words penultimate episode made me feel so sad about a show ending. If Catherine dies next week, we're all rioting?" and Jenine said: "I'm so excited yet so sad as it's one step closer to the end".
Jessica said: "I'm genuinely gutted this is ending". George said: "I can’t believe this is the penultimate ever episode of happy valley - it’s surely going to go down in history as one of the most consistent British dramas in history, not one dud episode, ever some of the best tv writing I've ever seen".
Happy Valley continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
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