After weeks of speculation, fans of hit TV show The Walking Dead finally know if one of its most popular characters is dead or alive.

Viewers were in mourning after it seemed that Glenn Rhee had met a gruesome end at the hands of the zombies in episode of three of the latest series. While it was not made clear if Glenn, played by Steven Yeun, was dead, fans feared the worst after he was taken out of the opening credits for the show.

But in the latest episode screened in the US, it was revealed that he had made a miraculous escape, and that the show bosses were simply toying with viewers.

In the earlier episode, Glenn and fellow survivor Nicholas were surrounded by a horde of escaping undead who then took part in a gruesome feasting.

In the latest show, it was revealed that the zombies were actually feasting on Nicholas, who had shot himself in the head rather than face the onslaught. Glenn used this distraction to escape, crawling under a dumpster and fending off the walkers until he was safe.

Actor Steven said he was happy about his character’s reprieve. Speaking on spin-off show The Talking Dead, he said: “I feel relieved, I feel very grateful, I feel so amazed at the response.

“I feel bad that I couldn’t say anything to everyone, family, friends. I’m pretty sure I lost some friends along the way. It’s kind of been overwhelming.”

Fans couldn’t get enough of the latest episode.