Holby City fans 'in bits' after THIS tragic twist leaves them in tears

(Image credit: BBC)

Life at Holby City will never be the same again...

There was heartache in Holby City last night when Essie Di Lucca's lost her battle with terminal cancer.

But in a tragic final twist, the beloved character passed away on her wedding day, just moments before she was due to marry Sacha Levy.

Holby City BBC One — Sasha found the Rabi, while Dominic got Essie ready for her big day (Picture: BBC)

In the episode, which was the last to air before the show goes off air for a while due to a break in filming, dying Essie asked Sasha to bring their wedding day forward, and surprised him by asking him to marry her that same day.

Viewers were left devastated when Essie discovered she didn't have long left to live, and have watched as she has put final arrangements in place over the last few weeks.

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Having organised the arrangements for baby Isla's care, Essie then focused on her marriage to Sasha, and the pair excitedly put their plans for the big day into motion.

But while Sasha got the ceremony covered, Dominic got Essie ready for her big moment, while Fletch offered to walk her down the aisle.

Heartache for Sasha

However, Essie and Sasha's fairytale moment sadly wasn't meant to be Essie passed away as Sasha waited at the altar for his bride.

Fletch was devastated to find that Essie had slipped away while he was wheeling her to the chapel, and then faced the devastating task of breaking the news to the groom.

After telling Sasha what happened, Fletch then had to tell the waiting congregation why the wedding wouldn't be taking place, leaving Essie's friends and colleagues in tears.

But they weren't the only ones.

Fans of the medical drama were devastated at the tragic twist and took to Twitter to share their heartache...

As well as heartache, the episode also left fans on a cliffhanger as Ric Griffin found himself in big danger as his nemesis Guy Self performed life-threatening brain surgery on him.

But while it looked like Ric would be okay, his fate was then thrown into question when he failed to wake from his anaesthetic.

Will Ric be okay?

Holby City will return to BBC One later in the year.

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

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As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.