Grey’s Anatomy, which has become one of the most widely watched soaps in the world, took the decision to kill off long-standing character Derek Shepherd in a car accident - despite him being the love interest of main character Meredith Grey.
Devoted fans were left reeling when scenes were aired last week, but have refused to take this decision lying down.
In a petition aimed at creator Shonda Rhimes, 17,000 people have signed to bring Shepherd back from the dead on Change.org.
Superfan Courtney Williams even went so far as to say that fans ‘are not sleeping nor eating because of this tragic turn of events.’
‘You do not have someone survive a mass murderer, a plan crash, A FREAKING PLANE CRASH, AND A crushed hand, as a neurosurgeon…just to kill them off on a BEAUTIFUL DAY!! Seriously? SERIOUSLY SHONDA?! SERIOUSLY MS. RIMES!?!?!?!?!’
Woah. That’s a lot of anger there, Courtney.
But plenty of other fans feel the same, who have grown attached to Dempsey’s developing character, one of the few who have been in the show since it’s very beginnings.
The actor, who recently revealed he is divorcing his wife, wrote on his Twitter page: ‘I want to thank all the fans, what an incredible 11 yrs, I love you all.’
Meanwhile on-screen wife Ellen Pompeo, who plays Meredith, said she is ‘honoured and excited to tell the story of how Meredith goes on in the face of what feels like the impossible.’
The actress added: ‘There are so many people out there who have suffered tremendous los sand tragedy.’
‘Husbands and wives of soldiers, victims of senseless violence and parents who have lost children. People who get up each day and do what feels like it the impossible.’
Blimey. Looks like things are set to get EVEN DEEPER on GA.