Call The Midwife star Helen George's on screen and real life romances have both taken a hit this year

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Helen George has been dealt heartache in both her TV and private life this year, with her splitting from the father of her two children as rumours continue to swirl that her on screen husband has been axed from Call The Midwife.

Helen is a huge hit with die hard fans of the long-running BBC drama, with millions rooting for her character Trixie Franklin to have her happy ending. And, after Trixie returned to Poplar from a stint overseas to see her family, it looked like that was very much on the cards, as boyfriend Matthew popped the question in romantic scenes last series.

While the couple did eventually tie the knot in the last episode, their road to the altar wasn't the smoothest, with them being rocked by the death of Matthew's father, after he came to visit and them being forced apart when a virus outbreak hit the midwifes of Nonatus House. Helen will star in the highly anticipated Call The Midwife Christmas special on Monday and, while Ollie Rix, who plays Matthew, will also be involved, it has been reported that he's since been written out by producers.

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Sources have claimed Olly has already left the show, much to the shock of his co-stars. An insider commented: The news of Olly's departure has left the cast and crew stunned and upset. They all thought he was a mainstay on the series after his prominent wedding scenes to Helen last season."

And Olly's rumoured exit from Call The Midwife comes at the same time Helen is coming to terms with her very real life split from former co-star Jack Ashton. Helen has two children with the actor who used to play Rev Tom Hereward. on the show and, confirming their separation in the summer, she said: "Some months ago, we separated. Our two beautiful girls remain the focus and I respectfully ask for privacy for this next chapter."