Hollyoaks fans were devastated as they bid farewell to Juliet Nightingale tonight.
Juliet - played by Niamh Blackshaw - was told recently her cancer was terminal, leaving viewers heartbroken as they learned it would be the end of the road for her character. In emotional scenes tonight, Juliet family realised it was the end after she collapsed.
Back at home, she said her goodbyes to those around her before sadly passing away in her girlfriend Peri's arms.
Fans rushed to social media after the emotional scenes, which aired on E4 this Wednesday evening.
One wrote: "I haven't seen the full episode but, I am in utter shock and sad , upset. Poor Donna Marie She shouldn't have to lose her daughter at such a young age. Cancer storyline is devastating and heartbreaking. #Hollyoaks."
"i haven’t watched in years but i kinda feel like watching tonight’s episode. juliet was an amazing character from what i’ve seen and niamh was one of the shows best actresses ever. #Hollyoaks," a second shared, whilst a third added: "I honestly feel so sick knowing that Juliet is gone forever. I was barely coping when I found out she was terminal but this is so much worse now. I have so many thoughts that there’s no way I can share them all.. I’m just devastated and I’m angry. #jeri #hollyoaks."
A fourth penned: "Such a beautiful and heartbreaking episode #Hollyoaks," with a fifth writing: "Man I still can’t believe Juliet is actually gone. I knew this was coming but it just doesn’t feel real yet. This can’t be the end.. it just can’t be. #jeri #hollyoaks."
Speaking about her final scenes, Niamh shared how "difficult" it was to film those final scenes.
"It's very complicated. I was open to options about my exit, and this felt like a finite, powerful story which made me excited. I love the character deeply and I'm upset for her – we all have grieved a fictional character at some point. But I'm happy to have seen her through to the end. It's been difficult, but I'm very proud of the work. I feel like it's the best work I have done on the show," she said.
She added to Digital Spy of the fan reaction to her character's exit: "I've always known [it would end like this]. The response [from fans] has been very overwhelming. I was very shocked at how loved Juliet is."
