Fans shed tears for Downton Abbey finale

Period drama Downton Abbey bade farewell with marriage proposals, resignations and the arrival of a newborn which brought its Australian audience to tears.

Fans admitted on social media to welling-up while watching the two hour finale on the Seven Network on Monday night.

There was a wedding, two marriage proposals, Edith tackled a dark secret head on and loveable servant Carson had to call it a day because of illness.

"Only happy tears with #DowntonAbbey finale. Births, marriages...," tweeted Orietta Guerrera.

Only happy tears with #DowntonAbbey finale. Births, marriages...

— Orietta Guerrera (@OriettaGuerrera) April 18, 2016

"Last ep of #DowntonAbbey, so sad!," posted Tania Price.

The finale covered the period from September through to December 31, 1925 and finished with the servants and the aristocrats singing Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight. Edith and Bertie tied the knot, Anna and Mr Bates had a baby boy and Lord Merton agreed to marry Isobel.

The show was neatly tied up in a bow and was well presented to its fans, possibly better than some could have even imagined.

"Guys this is literally an emotion roller coaster, I never want it to end!," wrote Jenni.

Loving all these happily ever afters #DowntonAbbey

— Reggie Lasaitis (@reggielasaitis) April 18, 2016

Reggie Lasaitis tweeted, "For me #DowntonAbbey has always been a tearjerker and especially so tonight, of course" and "Loving all these happily ever afters".

Despite the finale airing months after it was shown in the UK, Downton Abbey has still rated extremely well for an imported show. It's regularly finished in the overnight ratings top 10.Now it has ended, it will certainly be missed by its large loyal following."

Farewell to one of the better TV shows that graced the small screen," tweeted Kel while another fan posted, "honestly one of the best shows I have ever come across. All good things come to an end".

- AAP