What will happen to Jac Naylor in the last episode of Holby City?

HOLBY City bid farewell to BBC One viewers after 23 years on the air.

But what came of the soap's ice queen Jac Naylor, whose deteriorating health had been the topic of speculation for months?

What was wrong with Jac Naylor?

BBC One viewers are fond of the surgeon portrayed by Rosie Marcel.

But like many fan favourite characters, soap bosses thought it would be a brilliant idea to make Jac suffer on-screen.

After making her return to Holby City in July, 2021, Jac - one of the show's most fundamental characters - was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Her symptoms have worsened ever since although she has preferred to ignore them.

Jac has continued her fight against the hospital's special measures, ignoring her fragile health.

Desperately clinging on to life, Jac has pushed some of her staff to breaking point by requesting them to perform life-changing surgery on her.

What happened to Jac Naylor?

In spite of the devastating prognoses she received, Jac assured her colleagues around her she could be saved with a single operation, meant to remove her tumour.

But she struggled to find someone capable (both mentally and professionally) of performing the surgery.

After approaching Eli Ibrahimi (Davood Ghadami) and Nicky McKendrick (Belinda Owusu), Jac finally found someone who could help her: Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley).

However, while the latter agreed to perform the operation, Max McGerry (Jo Martin) kept a close eye, aware Jac will potentially not make it.

Holby City's penultimate episode left soap fans with a tear-jerking twist about Jac's health.

Trusty friend Elliot was ready to operate on her until he was given her latest scan results, showing that the tumour had rapidly grown.

Seemingly accepting her fate, Jac still wanted things to be done her way and convinced Max to let them go through with surgery.

But she requested that Elliot let her die on the operating table if he was unable to extract the tumour.

Sacha also had concerns about Jac's health and made a shock discovery which could change everything.

Eventually, Jac woke up and was distraught to learn that Elliot hadn't been able to remove her tumour - but also let her live despite her request.

Did Jac Naylor die in the Holby City finale?

WARNING - Holby City spoilers ahead

This was the biggest question asked by fans and all odds appeared to be against the Holby surgeon.

Sadly, those were right, and Jac's story reached its sad conclusion before the final credits roll one last time.

Her character suffered a stroke and was left unable to live a normal life, so her friends decided not to attempt to resuscitate her, leaving her to die as the episode ended.

Speaking about Holby City's swansong, actor Davood Ghadami said: "I think the finale will be for long term fans of Holby and for people who have tuned in just to watch the finale, the ending goes beyond just tying up Holby City as a show."

"I’m expecting that people will enjoy the ending for the sake of the fact it will tie up their Holby experience, but I’m also expecting people to be potentially emotionally affected in a way they weren’t expecting."

He added: "It’s a slow burn on the last ep, but then there is a slow gut punch at the end!"

While the doubt around Jac's fate will only be cleared tonight, one thing has remained certain: Holby City viewers will be needing tissues at the ready - as teased by a recent emotional trailer.

Holby City ends at 7.50pm on BBC One.