Endeavour fans break down in tears as ITV airs last ever episode after 11 years on screen

ENDEAVOUR fans broke down in tears as ITV aired the last ever episode after 11 years on screen.

The series is a prequel to Inspector Morse and first aired in 2013, with Shaun Evans playing the younger version of the character first made famous by John Thaw.

It has won a legion of fans across the eight series, and they have been left devastated over its finale.

The episode saw Morse pursue a serial killer who placed death notices for his victims in the newspaper before murdering them.

He also had to watch the woman he loved – Joan Thursday – marry someone else, policeman Jim Strange.

Die-hard fans of both Endeavour and Inspector Morse spotted numerous references linking the two shows, particularly the final shot where Endeavour’s black Jaguar passes the red Jag from Inspector Morse.

Viewers were in bits as the credits rolled, and took to Twitter to lament the end of an incredible drama and the end of an era regarding the Morse character.

One wrote: “A sublime finale, beautifully handled @SaxonKate. Not a moment wasted, every shot perfectly framed, all the performances superb.

“I spent most of the last 20 minutes with tears in my eyes. The passing of the Jaguars set me right off. Thank you #TeamEndeavour.”

Another added: “What a grand finale! Tears and goosebumps! Thank you for 9 series of our beloved #Endeavour I loved every minute of it. Kudos to cast and crew. You deserve every available award.”

A third tweeted: “I wasn’t sure it could be done… But wow. Tears, nothing but tears.

“Bright’s goodbye. THAT moment with Joan and Morse! What Morse did for Thursday. Fred’s last words to Endeavour. And the final passing of the torch…Quite frankly it could not have been better.”

Meanwhile a fourth shared: “The most fantastic of rides . Tears tears tears after the Morse years ended …. you and all the rest will be fondly missed . The jags passing each other just blew me away …..”

Endeavour is available on ITVX.