Emmerdale fans have taken to Twitter to voice their devastation over the news that Lisa Dingle will be bowing out of the soap in a tearjerker storyline.
It was revealed on Friday that actress Jane Cox, who has played the fan favourite for 23 years, would be departing her role.
Friday night's episode, which marked International Women's Day with an all-female cast and female-led crew, saw Lisa reveal that she has a terminal heart condition.
Fans were left devastated at the episode, and took to Twitter to express their sadness.
One viewer wrote "I can’t believe #LisaDingle is dying!!!!", while another said they were "deeply saddened that Lisa Dingle is leaving Emmerdale".
"This is not just another character leaving, this is a national legend leaving", they added.
Take a look at some of the viewer reaction below.
I can't believe #LisaDingle is dying!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Danielle Esparza (@DaniEsparza28) March 9, 2019
Wow. I'm deeply saddened that Lisa Dingle is leaving Emmerdale this year. A role the wonderful Jane Cox has portrayed since 1996. This is not just another character leaving, this is a national legend leaving. She's being killed off. I'm genuinely upset, but best of luck to Jane!
— Connor (@Con1991) March 9, 2019
@emmerdale I hate it when long serving characters leave a show , Lisa Dingle is the longest serving actress on the show (without a break) she will be a massive loss to the show and its continuity, I wish the lovely Jane Cox all the very best #Emmerdale
— Mitchell WEBB (@MitchellWebb85) March 9, 2019
Well done @emmerdale on a fantastic episode of #InternationWomensDay the heartbreaking new story featuring Lisa Dingle, Jane Cox has been great in her 23 years in the role & been very missed in her time off, so to get her back only to say goodbye will be hard #Emmerdale
— Mitchell WEBB (@MitchellWebb85) March 9, 2019
Lisa Dingle oh I am heartbroken #Emmerdale
— Terry Clarke (@terryclarke) March 9, 2019
Be sad to see Lisa Dingle go
— Paddy McConville (@PaddyMc9045) March 9, 2019
So, Lisa Dingle is dying in Emmerdale? That’s got heartbreak written all over it.
— David Philip Bates (@DavidPBates) March 8, 2019
I can’t believe they are killing off the legendary Lisa Dingle 😭
— Emily (@EmilyAmy_) March 8, 2019
Lisa Dingle. Icon. Heartbroken she’s been written out of the show. But what a wonder and such a fantastic day to reveal the news too 💕 #Emmerdale #InternationalWomensDay
— Kim B (@kimm_b94) March 8, 2019
Lisa shared her diagnosis when her niece Charity (Emma Atkins) came to visit her in Scotland but told Charity to keep the devastating news a secret.
In the coming weeks, viewers will see Lisa and husband Zak (played by Steve Halliwell) head south to be reunited with the rest of the Dingle clan.
Cox, who has played Lisa Dingle since 1996, admitted she would "shed more than a few tears" filming her final scenes.
"Lisa is so close to my heart as she's been such a huge part of my life for the past 23 years," she said.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on Virgin Media One and UTV.
