Grantchester viewers wave an emotional goodbye to James Norton

From Digital Spy

James Norton's last appearance on ITV drama Grantchester aired tonight (January 18) and viewers are heartbroken about it.

The 33-year-old has portrayed Sidney Chambers – an Anglican vicar and ex-Scots Guard officer in World War 2 – since the first series broadcast in 2014.

As Sidney bowed out this evening with his American love Violet, fans of Grantchester poured onto social media in response to this great loss.

How will they survive without him?

Norton recently spoke to Digital Spy about his decision to leave the show, explaining: "With acting, you can't become complacent. You've got to keep moving forward. For me, the priority is always to find a role which is new and unfamiliar and challenging, so that was the problem with staying on Grantchester.

"It was a world I had come to know, and inevitably you begin to learn less, so whilst it was the happiest time I've ever had on any set, I realised that it was probably going to lead to being less challenged [going forward]."

He did, however, admit that there's "a tinge of FOMO" attached to his departure.

"It's like leaving the party early – going home and knowing the party's going on without you," Norton elaborated. "Having said that, I am also immensely proud and happy to be leaving with the show in such a strong place, and to have so much love for it from the fans".

Grantchester airs on ITV.

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