We see Game of Thrones come to a close for another season next week and as a result, millions of the show's fans will feel lonely, sad and even heartbroken, according to NOW TV.

Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

41% of Brits pine more for a box set than they do an ex-partner. Akin to that of break up- watchers feel empty and in despair at the end of their relationship with a box set.

For some the love affair they had with their favourite TV show was longer than that of their last relationship. 64% admit to still talking a thinking of their beloved show compared to 46% who were over their last relationship within around 6 months.

A third of viewers get attached to one of the show's main characters and one in ten go so far as to say that they wished the character was around in real life. 13% would drop their current partner if their TV love was to turn up at their door. The proof that these characters are always on their mind is the 39% who have dreamed about the person on their screen.

Relationship psychologist Emma Kenny says "Being gripped by a hot new TV series has similar effects to falling in love - increased heart rate, release of serotonin, manipulating your thoughts. It plays with your heart and fills your waking hours, so it's no surprise that when it ends fans feel a sense of loss similar to a real-life break up."

Many of the fans are willing to sacrifice their own social life in order to watch the rest of a box set. 44% said that they invest more time with the characters on their TV set than their friends and family. A staggering 14 hours is spent every week watching box sets for each Brit compared to just 7 hours of date nights and quality time.

28% would be more affected if they missed their favourite show than being stood up and 12% would be less bothered about a split.

The characters that Brits are most attached to as Dana Scully from The X Files, Jon Snow from Game of Throes, Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead, Jack Bauer (24) and Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones.

Gidon Katz, Director of NOW TV said: "Game of Thrones is the world's most talked about show so it's no surprise that fans will be grieving as Season 5 comes to an end next week.

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