Life viewers left ‘in tears’ by Alison Steadman’s ‘heart-breaking’ self-harm scenes amid mental health battle

LIFE viewers were left in bits at actress Alison Steadman's heartbreaking portrayal of self-harm on the BBC series.

The TV legend, 74, portrays Gail in the Doctor Foster spin-off with her hugely emotional storyline leaving fans with "tears flowing."

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The series opens with the character about to celebrate her 70th birthday “when a chance encounter throws her whole life into question."

Set in Manchester, it centres on the intertwined tales of residents living in the same house, converted into flats, with Gail battling with whether to stay with her husband.

Her thoughts are driven by her realisation that Henry has been emotionally abusing her and undermining her through the years.

She decides to stay when he is given six months to live, yet this sparks a pathway of emotional scenes of self-abuse.

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One fan confessed: "Just binged the #Life series & it was superb! Brilliant plot twists! I was yelling in frustration & crying at the contents of the pendant 💔❤️ loved snippets of @Elbow too #lifebbc Thank you ❤️."

A second posted: "Got me in my feeeeeelingss 😭❤️."

A third then wrote: "Once again we are in agreement honey. My heart just melts and hurts too, the acting 👏🏼#lifebbc."

Another posted on Twitter: "#lifebbc three episodes in and this is an incredibly moving drama. It’s written and acted so well. A great series!"

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One then surmised: "Just binge watched Life, absolutely loved it and terrific acting by all.

"No spoilers but Gail & Henry storyline had my tears flowing #lifebbc."

Peter Davison, who plays Henry, was famous for being the fifth Doctor Who.

The story is linked to Doctor Foster but there is only one common character.

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All six episodes of Life are available now on the .