Emmerdale star Max Fletcher has quit the ITV soap after just seven months and his final scenes have already aired.
The actor joined the long-running serial drama as Marshall Hamston back in January, with his character revealing to Arthur that he was struggling with his sexuality.
Marshall's dad disowned him after learning he was gay, so he moved in with Laurel and Jai and soon struck up a relationship with Arthur.
Read more: Emmerdale's Gemma Atkinson welcomes baby boy with Strictly's Gorka Marquez
Emmerdale fans were surprised on Thursday night when Marshall told of his plans to leave the village so he could live with his aunt and cousin.
But that wasn't all, as he told a heartbroken Arthur that he didn't want to be with him anymore.
The teenagers had a heartfelt conversation at the Woolpack, with poor Arthur devastated by Marshall's decision to call it quits.
Later in the episode, Laurel and Jai said goodbye to Marshall as he thanked the pair for everything they had done for him.
He then hugged Arthur and heartbreakingly told him: "I'm really going to miss you."
Marshall left the village, leaving Emmerdale viewers feeling sad for Arthur, as well as the fact actor Max has exited the show.
One fan tweeted: "Marshall left the Dales tonight. Wonder if he’ll be back and how this will affect Arthur in the future.
"Lovely character. Wishing the actor who played him all the best! Very talented young performer."
Another added: "Oh Arthur [heartbroken emojis] him and Marshall’s story is one of the best things #Emmerdale has done this year, it’s a real shame that it’s ended so suddenly and like this."
While a third viewer said: "Who else knew that Marshall and Arthur would end this way. It was too much, too soon and he was completely overwhelmed by it all."
Emmerdale continues next week on Virgin Media One and ITV 1.
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