Call the Midwife viewers break down in tears over ‘heartbreaking’ cancer death

CALL the Midwife fans have been left in tears over a ‘heartbreaking’ cancer death.

The long-running BBC One drama has returned for a new series and brand new storylines.

During the first episode viewers watched as nurses came to the assistance of a woman dying from cancer.

The woman, Olive Macketts, was being played by Clare Burt.

As the plot progressed it became clear that her apparent lodger, Jessie Parris (Stella Gonet), was actually her secret lover.

She was trying to keep her at home so they could both be together as she feared she would denied the right to visit her.

Nurse Nancy Corrigan (played by Megan Cusack) was treating Olive when she discovered the pair were a couple.

Jessie then spoke about how she met Olive and they became romantically involved to Nancy, Trixie Franklin and Nurse Phyllis.

Nancy then asked: “Is it still illegal like it was for men?”

Replying to her, Trixie said: “Lesbianism has never been illegal.”

An intrigued Nancy then asked why the couple were so scared of people finding out.

Phyllis replied: “Because it’s not laws that rule this country, it’s attitudes.”

“There’s no law against unmarried mothers, but you and I both know more about that shame than most,” she added.

The storyline touched viewers at home and had them in tears as one person said: “20 minutes in and I’m crying #callthemidwife.”

Another said: “22 minutes is what I went without crying…#CallTheMidwife.”

“Oh my they’re a couple! This is gonna be heartbreaking isn’t it? #callthemidwife,” said a third viewer.

While a fourth posted: “Oh my gosh they’re not actually lodgers they are lovers it’s so beautiful and heartbreaking she’s going to lose her soulmate #callthemidwife.”

Viewers watched as Olive was allowed to die in her home, with her partner by her side.

Call the Midwife is available now on iPlayer.