*Warning - this article has huge spoilers for the first episode of The Split season 3*
The Split viewers were left devastated after the first episode of the new season last night (Monday, April. 4) as a much-loved character was tragically killed.
It was an emotional introduction to The Split season 3 as fans discovered that Rose Defoe’s (Fiona Button) husband, James Cutler (Rudi Dharmalingam), had died after being hit by a car while riding his bike.
Prior to the horrific event, Rose and James had an argument over whether to adopt children as Rose had changed her mind about it.
Later on, when James had not yet arrived at the party welcoming back niece Liv Stern (Elizabeth Roberts) from South America, Rose left James ‘Jimbo’ a heartfelt voicemail saying that she was 'all in' to adopt and wanted to have 'millions' of kids with him, assuring him that he was going to be the best dad.
It wasn’t long before Hannah Stern (Nicola Walker) received a phone call from Dr Leonora (Karen Bryson) telling her what happened to James and the Defoe family rushed to the hospital.
Their world was soon turned upside down when the doctor announced the devastating news that James didn’t survive the accident.
A traumatized Rose broke down and was escorted out of the hospital by her supportive family.
Fans were in tears at his painful death and mourned the loss of the much-loved character…
Oh wow 😭 I’m in tears now, brilliant first episode! The reactions from poor James’ death was heartbreaking #TheSplitApril 4, 2022
Oh James 😢 The absolute best guy. Just about stopped crying 💔 #TheSplitApril 4, 2022
Flipping heck! First episode and I'm already in tears. Loved James, such a gentle soul. When he was riding alongside the bus bus I had an 'uh oh' moment and thought it was going to be bad. This programme is brilliant. #TheSplitApril 4, 2022
James 😭😭😭😭😭😭 Life can change in a single painful moment, that was sad 😪😪 #TheSplit3 #TheSplit pic.twitter.com/Q0wLilUZDJApril 4, 2022
Aw I loved James, that had me in tears #TheSplitApril 4, 2022
The dramatic first episode also saw Hannah find out that her husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan) is in a new relationship with child psychologist Kate (Laura Pulver), which left her crushed and destroyed her hopes of them having a ‘good divorce.’
Meanwhile, Leonora wants a divorce from her adored husband Felix (Clarence Smith) and Nina is having an affair with Zander’s (Chukwudi Iwuji) husband Tyler (Damien Molony), among many other things that occurred in the episode.
In other recent news regarding the popular BBC drama, The Split director Dee Koppang has teased some 'fun cameos' to look forward to in the last series.
Speaking to Radio Times, Dee revealed: "There are some really fun cameos. We've got Lindsay Duncan and Jemima Rooper, and we've got Lily Cole and Tom Reese Harris."
She even hinted at an unexpected cameo from her husband, This Morning presenter Dermot O’Leary, who she has been married to since 2012.
Dee added: "And my husband pops up in a very, very funny blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo playing himself in it as well, which is good. Playing a breakfast TV presenter.
"It was just a very organic thing. It really is blink-and-you’ll-miss-it – it's a tiny, tiny moment."
The Split season 3 airs Mondays at 9pm on BBC One and is also available to watch as a boxset on BBC iPlayer.
