Distraught Emmerdale fans refuse to be silenced over ‘heartbreaking’ Jimmy King death

The last King is dead (Picture: ITV) Jimmy King (Nick Miles) is dead, and Emmerdale fans have a lot to say about it. The last remaining King, who’s dad and brothers all met grisly ends in a myriad of soapy ways, Jimmy had been a fixture in the Yorkshire Dales for 22 years, transforming from a ruthless business magnate into a kind, loveable oaf who was forever getting on the wick of his beloved wife, Nicola (Nicola Wheeler). ‘Not Jimmy, no way, he is lovely’ pleaded Dorothy Gillibrand on Metro Soap’s Facebook page, echoing the sentiment of many other commenters who were less than pleased at Jimmy’s demise. ‘Loved Jimmy, hope he wasn’t axed and had made his own mind up to leave,’ started Julie Boucher. ‘Jimmy was the best character of all the Kings. Great actor, the most believable one. Will miss him.’ Chenelle Harrop was fuming: ‘Just watched today’s [episode] omg why have you done this to me Emmerdale!’ A terrible crash claimed Jimmy’s life (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV) Jimmy lost his life after losing control of his car, crashing into the marquee due to be used for the ill-fated wedding of pernicious posh-o, Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) and an incredibly indecisive Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley). Trapped within the wreckage and with his life slipping away, Jimmy spent his final moments with Nico in a scene that had viewers reaching for the tissues. ‘Excellent acting from all the cast. Heart breaking watching Jimmy and Nicola, had me in tears. Loved Jimmy and Nicola together, such a down to earth couple, so very sad’, said Vanessa Carroll. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘Omg what a tear jerker, the part with him imagining dancing with Nicola,’ Joanne Kidman agreed. ‘Of all the characters they could’ve got rid of why Jimmy!!!…it definitely won’t be the same without him’ Trudie Reynolds said. Jimmy’s final scenes broke viewers (Picture: ITV) Speaking exclusively to Metro, actor Nick told us: ‘I had about three months’ notice that Jimmy would be leaving. But for about three months before, I was having weird nightmares about Jimmy’s death. ‘I’ve had typical actor dreams about not knowing my lines or being in the wrong scenes before, but I’ve not had nightmares about death! ‘The one that kept recurring was being stabbed in the chest by Nicola. It was very strange.’ On his reaction to the news that his character would die, Nick said: ‘I went quiet. It was a shock but that said, let’s not forget it’s the most dangerous soap on telly!’ Bosses reacted to his calm demeanor with shock of their own: ‘They said ‘Nick, we expected you to be upset as it is a shock’. ‘I was thinking of those nightmares though! I was like ‘ok, that’s fine, I get it’. I was very philosophical.’ How do you feel about Jimmy's dying? It was time for him to go!Check Sign up to Metro's GameCentral newsletter for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content Viewers were devastated at the end of Jimmy and Nico (Picture: ITV) Ali Steel – and her cat – were more shocked than Nick, apparently: ‘Shouted no at the tv when the marquee went into flames. My cat was sat staring at me like I was mad.’ Jaedyn Doe had a much more sad reaction: ‘I was seriously crying the worst I have ever been throughout a death. Excellent acting from the cast’, with Melanie Hedley-O’Hara reacting the same: ‘When Jimmy said hold my hand i just lost it and sobbed.’ Amanda White wasn’t happy to lose Jimmy: ‘Nicola and Jimmy the best double act on telly. Emmerdale made a big mistake. But final scenes were beautiful’ Despite the raw emotion, Sandra Cooke was full of praise for the episode: ‘What a night for Emmerdale. Lots of crying tonight, I know that much! Poor Jimmy and as for Nico what a shame that was emotional. Well deserved a clap to the writers, also for those involved with this storyline well acted by all. Really enjoyed it tonight.’ Lorraine O’Brien summed it up in one word: ‘Heartbreaking’. Deals of the Day A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them Simba's cooling mattresses are now up to 30% off ahead of the bank holiday Arrow MORE: Emmerdale ‘confirms’ shock character to blame for Jimmy’s death in big twist Arrow MORE: Take Metro’s latest Soaps quiz after a truly explosive week in Soapland Arrow MORE: Emmerdale Joe Tate tragedy sealed as spoilers reveal what happens next GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.