Peaky Blinders fans devastated as major character dies after being shot

PEAKY Blinders fans were heartbroken last night after one of the period crime drama's main characters was killed off.

At the end of the first episode last week, Italian mobsters opened fire on John Shelby (Joe Cole) and his cousin Michael (Finn Cole) on the former's doorstep. The episode ended with the pair laying on the floor riddled with bullets.

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Last night fans found out that Michael had survived the shooting but John had died, leaving the Shelby clan distraught.

Viewers lamented the loss on Twitter, with many writing how John had been their favourite character.

Comments included: "💔 cant believe they killed john in peaky blinders legit heartbreak rh 💔.

"am literally still in shock that John (@theotherJoeCole) is really dead. Took a bullet for his brother, maybe in more ways that one. Just keeps getting better. #PeakyBlinders

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"Just watched last nights #PeakyBlinders gutted @theotherJoeCole is dead wont the same without you John boy.

"I love #PeakyBlinders, but can’t believe they killed off John!!!

"Why Did John @theotherJoeCole Have To Die! Seriously The BEST Character On The Show! Never Been So Shocked By A TV Show In My Life. You Will Be Missed 😩 Peaky Blinders Will Never Be The Same 😭😭.

"John!!!!! NOT JOHNN!!!! 😭😭 #PeakyBlinders."

The most emotional moment from the episode came as brothers Tommy (Cillian Murphy) and Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) visited John's body in the mortuary.

Arthur struggled to keep it together when he saw the bloodstained corpse lying on the table.

John's wife Esme burst into the room and demanded the brothers leave as she blames Tommy for her husband's death.

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She told John that she and her child would leave Birmingham and find some good people.

The episode ended with a tense first meeting between Tommy and Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody) in Tommy's factory office.

Luca told him he would murder Tommy's entire family as payback for the murder of his father and would keep Tommy alive until last so that he could suffer watching the deaths.

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