It seems that no-one is okay with The Walking Dead losing Chandler Riggs' Carl Grimes. Not the fans, not the cast and, erm, not even the guy behind the decision.

In last year's shocking mid-season finale, it was finally revealed that fan favourite and series original Carl had been bitten by a walker and would soon be swiftly killed off.

Scott Gimple's shock decision to separate from the comic book series has shaken a number of cast members on the TV show, and it's been controversial with viewers too.

Although the showrunner's sticking with his decision, he has now conceded that the loss of Carl is an "unbelievable tragedy" for the show.

Albert L Ortega Getty Images

Related: The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus "desperately unhappy" about Carl Grimes' season 8 exit

Speaking to Variety ahead of The Walking Dead's imminent return, Scott admitted that Carl's demise is "one of the hardest deaths ever", but insisted that it's integral to the story.

"It's nuclear in how it affects the characters, how it affects the story, how it affects their world moving forward," he explained, teasing that Carl's death will have huge consequences.

"The death of this character, this young hero… it creates the last sort of conversation of who these people are going to be and how they're going to move into the future.

"I believe this is a really important story with an important message."

Gene Page AMC

Related: The Walking Dead fans have some wild theories about how Carl could still survive

Echoing Andrew Lincoln's comments on Carl's final words being a "lynchpin" for his character Rick, Gimple reassured fans that Carl's legacy will still live on.

"His death is not the end of his story," he said.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC in the US on Sunday, February 25. It'll be back on Monday, February 26 in the UK on FOX UK and NOW TV.

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