Modern Family fans upset over ‘significant’ character death: 'We were clickbaited'

The death has been described as 'an event that has repercussions across several episodes'

(20th Television)

Modern Family fans have finally found out which leading character dies this season.

Viewers have been wondering which character would perish in the long-running ABC sitcom ever since co-creator Christopher Lloyd teased a significant death back in September – however, many were left underwhelmed to learn it wasn’t any of the main ensemble cast.

*Spoilers for Modern Family follow – you have been warned*

It was DeDe Pritchett, the ex-wife of Jay (Ed O’Neill) and mother to Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), who died, bringing Shelley Long’s time on the series to an end. She appeared a total of six times throughout its past ten seasons.

Her death occurred off-screen as it was revealed DeDe had died peacefully in her sleep while on a trip with her women’s group.

While her death has been described by Lloyd as “an event that has repercussions across several episodes,” fans were left feeling short-changed, expressing their disappointment on Twitter.

Modern Family – which began in 2009 – follows the stories of different members of the Pritchett family including Jay, wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara), daughter Claire, son Mitchell and sons-in-law Phil (Ty Burrell) and Cameron (Eric Stonestreet).

The series is expected to end with its 11th run in 2020.