Call the Midwife's Shelagh Turner star teases heart-wrenching twist for beloved character

It looks as though there could be heartache on the cards for one beloved Call the Midwife character. During Monday's Loose Women, actress Laura Main, who plays Shelagh Turner in the BBC show, teased what viewers can expect to see.

While speaking to the panel, Laura revealed there's a cliffhanger in store. Not wanting to give too much away, she said: "I would say the cliffhanger. Obviously, you're going to have the stories of the episodes, so that will have to continue.

"There is, it's involving a much-loved member of the community, the cliffhanger, that's all I'm going to say! I don't think it's going to ruin your Christmas. I think you will want to keep watching!"

Laura told the Loose Women ladies that although there's a cliffhanger on the way, the festive special will still have all the magic of Christmas. She added: "It's still got the rousing finish, we've got the Salvation Army band, we've got fun fair, we've got all sorts of things."

This year for the first time, Call the Midwife viewers are being treated to a double episode of the beloved BBC show.

Set in 1969, the Nonnatus midwives are as busy as ever as they're delivering babies during the festive period, although there's trouble brewing.

Along with influenza and the Hong Kong flu, the beloved residents of Poplar are gripped with fear when they discover there's an escaped prisoner on the loose.

A short synopsis reads: "Fears grow that he may be in the local area after a spate of break-ins. The Turner children are caught up in the fever surrounding the Blue Peter Christmas appeal to collect dinky cars and scrap metal.

"Trixie makes a fleeting visit to Nonnatus House and is delighted to see her brother Geoffrey, and Miss Higgins has her grandson Harry stay for Christmas. Violet hosts a mince pie competition but the Buckles’ preparations for Reggie’s homecoming are thrown into turmoil.

Returning for the Christmas special this year will be Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan, Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne, Helen George as Trixie Aylward and Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle.

Stephen McGann will also be seen as Dr Turner, along with Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane, Megan Cusack as Nancy Corrigan, Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle and Georgie Glen as Miss Higgins.

Speaking about the upcoming specials, Heidi Thomas OBE, creator and writer said: “Who doesn’t love finding an extra, unexpected present underneath the Christmas tree? When I was asked to write a two-part Christmas special for 2024, I couldn’t resist!”

Echoing her excitement, Dame Pippa Harris, the executive producer commented: “For the first time viewers can luxuriate in a two part festive treat this Christmas. Heidi has created a spellbinding special which I know will delight our loyal fans.”

The upcoming series of Call the Midwife is set to air at the start of 2025, with another series already commissioned, meaning the beloved show will run until at least 2026.

Call the Midwife airs on Christmas Day at 8pm on BBC One and Boxing Day at 7:30pm and Loose Women continues weekdays on ITV from 12:30pm