Holby City viewers were left fearing three beloved characters could die after watching tonight’s gut-wrenching episode play out.
Adrian “Fletch” Fletcher, Essie di Lucca and Nicky McKendrick are facing horrifying health battles – leaving fans to expect the worst.
Nicky (Belinda Owusu) suffered a heart attack on last week’s episode, falling to the floor and collapsing as hospital staff rushed to her aid.
Her heart affliction returned this evening, as she confronted her mother about her dishonest and manipulative behaviour in the cafe.
Meanwhile, both Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw) and Essie (Kaye Wragg) are battling cancer, with the duo promising to support one another throughout their treatment.
Fletch promised to tell his family about his prostate cancer diagnosis this evening, bolstered after becoming friends with a brave young cancer survivor named Jasper.
Tonight’s episode ended as Essie received some devastating news, hearing more about her diagnosis ahead of her dream wedding.
With Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) clutching her hand, Essie could be seen bowing her head in tears – signalling more heartache ahead.
Taking to Twitter, viewers wondered whether the beloved trio would survive their respective health battles, or would their time on the show come to an end.
One said: “Lots of horrible things happen to staff at Holby all the time… can we vote for something horrible to happen to Nikki’s mum next #HolbyCity.”
A second added: “#HolbyCity really is determined to kill off all their staff!”
“It seems to me it’s all gloom and doom. Are there any healthy members of staff in the hospital…” added a third.
Will Essie, Nicky and Fletch manage to recover, or is there more heartache on the horizon?
Holby City airs on Tuesdays at 8pm on BBC One.