Fans of hospital drama Casualty have been complaining of broken hearts following a shock death in the programme.

Cal, played by Richard Winsor, was stabbed to death by an angry relative who believed his father’s passing was the fault of striking doctors.

The killer had been planning to target Cal’s brother Ethan (George Rainsford), but Cal stepped in to try to stop the attack and ended up being fatally injured himself.

Casualty
Cal has made his last Casualty appearance (BBC)

Viewers found the storyline particularly tragic as the brothers had only just put aside their love rivalry over fellow medic Alicia (Chelsea Halfpenny).

Fans of the programme began sharing their devastation at the scenes in which Cal bowed out.

The episode was traumatic for viewers who had grown attached to the character.

The BBC drama had trailed that tragedy was in store but had placed a red herring with Lily (Crystal Yu) suffering an accident in the car park.

Casualty returns to BBC One on May 6 at 8.05pm.