Game of Thrones season 6 episode 5 'The Door': Hodor actor Kristian Nairn on that heartbreaking twist

Spoilers abound for episode five 'The Door'

*Spoilers for season 6, episode 5: 'The Door' below*

For all the theorising about what the simplistic title of Game of Thrones' fifth episode could possibly mean, nobody could have predicted it would lead to one of the show's most heartbreaking moments.

In a bid to save Bran and Meera from a horde of White Walkers, beloved character Hodor fulfilled his dedication by enacting one final order to "hold the door." Intriguingly, the young Stark - who was off having one of his flashback visions - encountered Hodor in the past, then named Wyliss, who - in some kind of time loop - heard his order from the future. Collapsing in a seizure, he's left only able to say a shortened version of the words: "Hodor."

Actor Kristian Nairn, who has been on the HBO series since its first season, has spoken out about what fans are deeming the most distressing moment since season three's infamous Red Wedding.

"I love it. Funnily enough, I just saw [the scene] today for the first time. I couldn’t be happier how he has gone out," he told EW.

"The interesting thing is it’s kinda left open. You don’t actually see him [die]. It’s implied. So who knows? He may come back as a White Walker, maybe he got away. But it’s a really good way to do it. I couldn’t have asked for a better goodbye to a character I love. My favorite part is it ties up the question of why is Hodor “Hodor.” Why does he say the word “Hodor”? Only George R.R. Martin or David and Dan could have come up with this. It’s incredibly sad. The minute you finally learn something about Hodor, they kill him!

"I had tears in my eyes. I don’t see myself on screen, I see Hodor. I always talk about him in the third person. I just saw the character die and it was very sad. I think people are going to a) freak out, b) be very sad."

Of course, having said just one word during his four-year tenure (Hodor took season 5 off), the Irish actor and DJ naturally has a favourite utterance.

"Actually there’s one I really like in the current season where Meera and I are talking about sausages. This guy loves his sausages, clearly, and his bacon. His face lights up and starts talking about food," he admits.

"I also enjoyed the one in season 3 with Osha. She’s complaining about having to build the camp and he did this “Why you telling me?”-type Hodor. That was a fun one. I can’t believe I can actually isolate two Hodors from all those times!"

Game of Thrones is repeated tonight at 9pm on Sky Atlantic. A newly-released preview of episode six teases dark times at King's Landing.