The Roseanne saga continues. First was the announcement that the popular 1990s sitcom was to be rebooted, then came praise from President Trump himself, then came an allegedly racist tweet and disgrace for writer and star Roseanne Barr and ultimately the show was cancelled.

But it ain't over till the fat lady sings... or in this case until the fat lady gets killed off.

The sitcom is back - again - but this time withought it's titular star. According to ABC News it's working title is The Connors and it will focus on the remaining members of the family, most notably John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf and Sara Gilbert. Speculation over how the character of Roseanne will be written out of the show is rife on the internet, with some suggestions that she will be killed off.

The synopsis for the new show reads: "After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before."

How will they explain Rosanne's absence? Was she murdered, died from a heart attack, gone on holidays permanently, gone to prison or will they just pretend she never existed.

— Annette Makepeace (@MsMakepeace) June 22, 2018

My money is on accidental OD. They did an episode on opiates this season. #TheConnors

— Mickey White (@BiasedGirl) June 22, 2018

Barr will have no financial or creative say over the new series. 

"The Conners’ stories demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation, laughter and love. The spinoff will continue to portray contemporary issues that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago," ABC said in a statement.

Barr said of The Connors: “I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne…I wish the best for everyone involved.”