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Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Vicki Newman

How does The Big Bang Theory end? What happened in 'perfect' finale episode

The Big Bang Theory is over!

The US sitcom, starring Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki, has finished forever in an epic hour-long episode fans have dubbed the perfect goodbye.

The show's final ever episode - after 12 seasons - has aired in the US, but we won't see it in the UK until 8pm on Thursday, May 23.

So if you don't want to know how it ends, stop reading now!

Fans of the show have been glued to their screens for years watching geeky scientist Leonard (Galecki) chase the girl of his dreams, Penny (Cuoco), while simultaneously putting up with his difficult roommate and co-worker Sheldon (Jim Parsons).

Inside The Big Bang Theory's finale with tearful Kaley Cuoco as cast take final bow  

It's over! (therealjimparsons /Instagram)

The show also follows the lives of their close friends, Howard (Simon Helberg), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) and Amy (Mayim Bialik).

But how did it all end?

The hour-long finale offered a hopeful glimpse into the future of Sheldon, Amy, Leonard and Penny's lives off-screen.

Last season ended with Sheldon and Amy's wedding, and in the penultimate episode of season 12, the couple discovered they'd won the Nobel Prize.

Plus, someone finally fixed the elevator!

Cracks had been showing in Amy and Sheldon's relationship ever since their Nobel win put them in the limelight.

The finale has aired in the US ((Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) Channel 4 Picture Publicity, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2T)
Leonard and Penny have huge news ((Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) Channel 4 Picture Publicity, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2T)

Amy was also feeling insecure about her appearance being judged by the world, but found confidence after a makeover from Raj.

Sheldon wasn't a fan though and told her: "I like you better the way you were."

Penny took Sheldon for a drink to convince him change wasn't a bad thing, while Amy, Leonard and Raj were back at the apartment ranting about how sick they are of putting up with Sheldon's antics.

Penny managed to talk Sheldon round, and they headed back to the apartment.

And while all the drama was going on, Penny and Leonard were keeping a huge secret - Penny is pregnant!

The news finally slipped out when Sheldon become paranoid that Penny had caught a stomach bug on their flight to Sweden for the Nobel gala, and that he'd catch it too.

Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki and girlfriend to be first time parents  

What will happen to Raj? (CBS)

After the couple let him in on the secret they were expecting a baby, he barely batted an eyelid as he said: "You're right, I can't catch that."

Sheldon then told his wife: "Good news, Amy, she's just pregnant."

His insensitive handling of the exciting news drove an even bigger wedge between him and Leonard.

The dad-to-be told his friend: "You are a selfish jerk. To hell with you and your Nobel prize."

Sheldon's behaviour saw Penny, Leonard, Howard and Bernadette threaten to leave Sweden early and head home to Pasadena, with Amy having to step in to save the day.

"They're abandoning us because you broke their hearts," Amy told him. "You never mean to. It's the only reason people tolerate you."

Sheldon asked his wife: "Does that include you?"

Will Howard and Bernadette live happily ever after? (WARNER BROS.)
What happens to Sheldon? (CBS)

"Sometimes, yes," she tells him.

Amy's honesty finally struck a chord with Sheldon, who decided to ditch his self-centered acceptance speech to pay tribute to his friends, including Raj's date (a cameo appearance from Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar) after he spotted them sitting in the audience.

He told the crowd: "I was under the misapprehension that my accomplishments were mine alone.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. I have been encouraged, sustained, inspired and tolerated not only by my wife, but by the greatest group of friends anyone has ever had."

He asked them all to stand for recognition, before paying a special tribute to Leonard and Penny.

He said: "I was there the moment Penny and Leonard met. He said to me that their babies would be smart and beautiful. And now that they're expecting, I have no doubt that will be the case."

Fans praised the "perfect" ending.

From The Big Bang Theory to MASH - the best sitcom quotes of all-time  

Bernadette, Amy and Sheldon (WARNER BROS.)

One said: "Incredible final episode! I laughed, I cried and will miss this show!"

Another tweeted: "Thank you #BigBangTheory for 12 great years. Perfect way for a show to end"

One asked: "Anyone else crying?"

And another posted: "That was perfect. Laughter, tears, etc. Amy and Sheldons speeches gave me all the feels."

* See the last ever episode of The Big Bang Theory at 8pm on Thursday, May 23 on E4

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