BBC Call The Midwife fans devastated as Matthew and Trixie Aylward are torn apart

Fans of BBC's Call The Midwife were devastated by the penultimate episode of the beloved period drama as Trixie Aylward's happy ending appeared to fall apart. In recent weeks viewers have watched shocked as her husband Matthew's lies have unfurled.

In tonight's episode (February 25) he had to come to terms with his recent financial embarrassment. However, he was finding it hard to keep his situation under wraps as bailiffs turned up to repossess his car outside Nonnatus House.

The stress was affecting Trixie, who accepted a prescription for sleeping pills from Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann). Although never the most domesticated of women she threw herself into their new frugal life.

She even learnt how to make savoury mince to ensure that they could eat on a budget. However, landed gentry Matthew was not having any part of this lifestyle and announced that he was going to New York to pursue a business opportunity with a friend.

Although he pleaded with Trixie to come with him she refused. In heartbreaking scenes, she said goodbye to her husband and stepson Jonty.

Viewers were not impressed by the development in the couple's relationship and took to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their heartache.

Ann penned with a heartbroken emoji: "I'm not prepared for the end of Matthew and Trixie #CallTheMidwife." Kara added:"Not Trixie crying... I was not prepared for this on a Sunday evening."

Bon noted: "They could of let Matthew and Trixie bow out happily but them turning Matthew into a t**t grinds me so much, she doesn’t deserve this just let my girl be HAPPY."

Acacia shared: "Trixie and Matthew are so vexing this series. Going against almost everything in their character development for the last 3 seasons and is contradictory from one episode to the next #CallTheMidwife."

Elsewhere in the episode, there was huge drama as Joyce Highland's (Renee Bailey) past came to light. A man claiming to be her cousin arrived in Poplar but was later revealed to be the abusive husband she fled and he made it clear he planned on hanging around.

Meanwhile, Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry) found herself dealing with a delicate case where a young woman had been abused by her stepfather and had fallen pregnant.

Fred Bucket (Cliff Parisi) found himself trying to figure out how to disperse a multitude of turnips which led to some creative solutions.

Call The Midwife is on BBC One at 8pm on Sundays. All previous episodes are available on BBC iPlayer.