Fans were moved by the storyline in the opening episode of series eight.

Call The Midwife viewers have praised the programme for the way it handled the issue of backstreet abortions.

The hit drama about midwives in the East End in the 1960s returned to BBC One for an eighth series on Sunday night.

In the episode, nurse Valerie (Jennifer Kirby) helped a woman who miscarried after having an abortion, which was illegal at the time.

Fans were moved by the storyline and said it showed why women should be entitled to have the procedure legally.

“Well done to #CallTheMidwife for tackling the illegal abortion issue. This is why everyone should have access to free & safe abortion services,” said one person on Twitter.

Well done to #CallTheMidwife for tackling the illegal abortion issue. This is why everyone should have access to free & safe abortion services. — Birmingham Emma (@memoirsoftlp) January 13, 2019

Another said the drama’s writers “never shy away from controversial story lines or highlighting social issues of the time”, adding: “Such sensitivity and compassion shown.”

Possibly the most emotional episode ever, and the writers never shy away from controversial story lines or highlighting social issues of the time. Such sensitivity and compassion shown. #CallTheMidwife remains my favourite BBC drama. — Annette Hill (@familyhrguru) January 13, 2019

“You’d like to think back street abortions were a thing of the past, until you consider they’re still illegal in some parts of the UK, i.e. Northern Ireland,” said another.

You'd like to think back street abortions were a thing of the past, until you consider they're still illegal in some parts of the UK, i.e. Northern Ireland. #CallTheMidwife — DrivingMrsDaisy (@MeesyTheMinxy) January 13, 2019

One viewer said: “To all those believing #abortion should still be illegal in this day and age need to sit and watch #callthemidwife a difficult subject as always so carefully handled.”

To all those believing #abortion should still be illegal in this day and age need to sit and watch #callthemidwife a difficult subject as always so carefully handled. Choice for women is a basic right, their lives and health must always matter.. — Big Ang (@AngieMitchell07) January 13, 2019

One person posted: “1964 really wasn’t that long ago but it’s disgusting to think some women don’t have the right to make that decision today!”

#CallTheMidwife is breaking my heart tonight. First Sister Monica Joan and now this horrible back street abortion story. 1964 really wasn’t that long ago but it’s disgusting to think some women don’t have the right to make that decision today! 😢 — Jessica Louise (@JessAsp) January 13, 2019

“I hope all the bigots who want to make abortion illegal watched #callthemidwife & realise making abortion illegal will not stop them from happening,” tweeted another.

“It would take it back to a time when women had high risk precedures by unqualified people & was a risk of deadly infections.”

I hope all the bigots who want to make abortion illegal watched #callthemidwife & realise making abortion illegal will not stop them from happening. It would take it back to a time when women had high risk precedures by unqualified people & was a risk of deadly infections. — Kate Stevo (@katestevo92) January 13, 2019

“It’s horrible that women had to go through that just because abortions were illegal,” one viewer posted.

“Shocking that it is still illegal in some countries.”

It's horrible that women had to go through that just because abortions were illegal. Shocking that it is still illegal in some countries. #CallTheMidwife — The girl with the cat dragons tattoos! (@lady_carrie) January 13, 2019

Call The Midwife continues on BBC One.