Fans concerned after Modern Family reunion photo leaves out one key cast member

Arguably one of the most knee-slapping sitcoms of our time, Modern Family fans were devastated when the show came to an end in 2020, after 11 seasons.

Not only did the totally ridiculous predicaments that Phil Dunphy got himself into or Cameron Tucker's sassy one-liners have you in immediate fits of laughter, but the evidently close bond between the cast members radiated off the screen.

The majority of Modern Family stars have seemingly remained friendly, with Jesse Tyler Ferguson (who played Mitchell Pritchett) officiating Sarah Hyland's (who played Hayley Dunphy) breathtaking California vineyard wedding.

"We all really do love each other," Ferguson previously told press, adding that his TV dad, Ed O'Neill (who played Jay Pritchett), is like a real-life father-figure to him.

"He will send me random emails in the middle of the night checking in on me, or wants me to know what he is doing. It's just like my dad would do."

Julie Bowen (who played Claire Dunphy) also previously said of her co-stars: "I love my fake children. I love them so much.

Getty/Jeff Neira

"Watching those kids grow up has taught me so much about my own kids growing up. Nolan used to come over all the time and swim with my kids."

This week, however, fans of the show were left heartbroken after an Instagram post heavily hinted that one of the beloved stars of the show had passed on.

The concern comes after several stars of the show posted the same reunion snap of the entire Modern Family gang - but one favourite from the series was evidently missing.

Phil Dunphy star Ty Burrell had been left out of the sweet photograph, which was posted to Instagram, and was instead being held in the form of a portrait, leading some viewers to worry about his health.

Instagram/@jessetylerferguson

Sharing the snap to his profile, Ferguson wrote: "Nearly perfect reunion. We were only missing you, Ty! So we brought a cute pic in your place."

Sofia Vergara (who plays Gloria Delgado) also shared a video of Burrell’s photo on her mantelpiece alongside the caption: "We miss u Ty!!"

Understandably, many fans of the show were quick to assume comedy star Burrell might have passed away, with the several Instagram posts resembling a tribute to him.

"THIS MADE ME THINK HE WAS DEAD I PANICKED", one fan wrote on the photos.

IMDB/Richard Cartwright/ABC/2017 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

A second added: "Please never ever do this again. Thought he’s gone!!"

"I had to check Google to make sure he didn’t die", admitted a third.

The series follows the ups and downs of family life - whether in a nuclear family, a blended family, or a same-sex family - and fans of the show have heaped praise onto the stars for their ability to reflect reality in a charming, yet emotional, way.

Unlike many sitcoms, however, Modern Family did end on a satisfying note, pointing out that the story had spanned multiple generations of the same family across an entire decade.