Call The Midwife viewers have been left fearing for the future of one of the show's most popular characters, Nurse Crane, after a teaser for next week's episode hinted her days might well be numbered.
Three weeks on from its festive special proving a ratings winner on Christmas Day, Call The Midwife aired the third part of its new series on BBC One on Sunday evening, with millions tuning in, after last week's show brought a shock appearance from ex EastEnders star James Alexandrou.
There was a harrowing storyline at the centre of episode three, as a woman was raped and beaten by her own husband, in an era when that wasn't even considered a crime. Offering clarification to horrified viewers, a tweet from the Call the Midwife account read: "Shockingly, the crime of rape within a marriage did not exist in English law until the 1990s, and was first laid out explicitly under the Sexual Offences Act 2003."
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As well as that plot sparking plenty of tweets from the many who tuned into Sunday's programme, there were also plenty of posts about long-serving character Nurse Crane as she offered support to young mum Nancy and once again looked out for colleague Lucille.
But, after playing such a big part in the episode and proving once again why she's a real fan favourite, Nurse Crane was then at the centre of some concern from viewers, due to something teased in a preview for next week's Call The Midwife.
After the new Chairman of the Board of Health pays a visit to the midwives of Nonnatus House, Nurse Crane receives a letter to say she's been "summoned" and is left worried she'll be forced to retire, with her responding: "What if they tell me I've got to give up working?"
Linda Bassett has been playing Nurse Crane since series four of Call The Midwife and worried her character might be giving her marching orders, one viewer took to Twitter to post: "Nurse Crane is the hero who not only rolls up her sleeves to help, but who still gives you agency & respect. I love her," with another responding: "Nurse Crane. One of the kindest and most wonderful female characters on TV"
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