Fans of Call The Midwife were brought to tears just minutes in as the BBC drama returned for a Christmas special. On Christmas Day, fans were treated to an hour-long episode as some of the cast flew off to Hong Kong.

But the first of a two-part special didn't follow a jolly holiday. Instead, some of the Poplar midwives and medics were on hand to help with a disaster at the Branch House in Kowloon. Fred and Violet had flown out to Hong Kong to visit Derek, but were met with horror instead. Just minutes into the much-anticipated show, fans were already reaching for the tissues as they became emotional. As the team rallied around to collect items to help the cause, with some of the Hong Kong team tragically killed and others left injured, fans found themselves "in tears" at the scenes on their TVs.

Posting to Twitter/X, one said: "How am I in tears already. May offering her cardigan to the cause. Oh bless. #callthemidwife."

Another added: "I don't know why I'm so emotional but the picture of the baby may makes me wanna sob. #CallTheMidwife."

Someone else praised the BBC show, as they penned: "#CallTheMidwife Without doubt my favourite programme on BBC1 .. it mixes so many social issues, emotional rollercoaster and the characters are fantastic."

"Sister Monica Joan never fails to bring me to tears with her words," one more person wrote. "If they published a book with them in, it would be a best seller. #callthemidwife."

Back in London, news of the disaster reaches Nonnatus house and an emergency rescue mission to Kowloon was hastily launched.

Sisters Julienne (Jenny Agutter) and Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) were seen making a mercy dash to help those impacted by the disaster.

However, Derek remained cautious as he warned the medics to take care. The densely populated city was home to Triad gangs operating in the area - putting the team in severe danger.

The Midwife Christmas drama continues on Boxing Day at 8.30pm.