Warning: the story below contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season eight episode four.

The director of the latest Game of Thrones episode has offered an explanation as to why Jon Snow didn't pet his direwolf Ghost goodbye upon leaving Winterfell – in a moment that has left many fans outraged.

David Nutter, who directed The Last of the Starks, blamed CGI for the distant farewell between Jon and his loyal companion.

“Since the direwolves are kind of CG creations, we felt it best to keep it as simple as possible,” Nutter told the Huffington Post.

“And I think that it played out much more powerfully that way.”

Instead of petting Ghost goodbye, Jon can be seen walking away and exchanging a final glance with the direwolf – something Nutter found "very, very powerful".

Many fans shared their disappointment on Twitter after the episode aired, wishing Jon had taken a moment to give Ghost a pet.