Spoiler Alert

One of Game of Thrones’ biggest characters, Jon Snow, was killed off in the Season 5 finale.

Season 5 final episode saw Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, murdered by men of the Night’s Watch.

The final scene saw Jon Snow’s young protégé Olly deliver the final blow, with a lifeless Lord Commander left lying in the snow.

Variety described it as “one of the most shocking TV moments of the year”.

Fans expressed hope that Kit Harington would return in the next series, but speaking to Entertainment Weekly the actor said: “I’m dead. I’m not coming back next season.

“I kind of knew it was coming. I didn’t read [George RR Martin’s novel] A Dance with Dragons. But I read the other books and I had heard this is what happens.

“So I had an inkling it should be this season. I didn’t realize it would be the final shot of the season and that made it extra special.

“I loved how they brought Olly in to be the person who kills me.”

Kit Harington said the show’s creators, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, had informed him of his impending doom before production on the Season 5 began last year.

“We did the Tony Soprano walk [to tell an actor they’re going to die]. And they said, <<Look, you’re gone, it’s done>>.”

Fans took to Twitter to express their shock at the episode.

A number of other characters also met their demise in the finale, including Stannis Baratheon – who was executed at the hands of Brienne of Tarth, just hours after his wife, Queen Selyse, hanged herself.

Game of Thrones Season 5 finale also featured a scene where Cersei Lannister – played by Lena Headey – was stripped after having her head shaved and marched through the streets in a public walk of shame after admitting she had slept with her cousin.