The Walking Dead
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead    AMC/Fox

Are the people of Terminus cannibals? That's the biggest question left hanging after The Walking Dead's season 4 finale.

We saw clues to suggest that may well be the case, but no definitive answer was given by the show-runners/makers – leaving fans a little frustrated, and hungry for answers as to where season 5 of the post-apocalyptic show is heading.

E! News may have let slip some information regarding the answer. First they reveal a new character for the upcoming fifth season which may tie into the comics in a way that serves as proof of cannibalism.

17-year-old Burton is a survivor who has lost his leg, but whose positivity is infectious.

It is speculated that Burton could be the twist in a storyline in the comic books involving a character called Dale, whose leg (his remaining leg that is) is chopped off by cannibals. This has led to people wondering if the people of Terminus amputated Burton's missing leg for their food reserves, or whether Burton's fate will be similar to that of Dale.

E! also refers to the "man-eating freaks who run Terminus".

Their piece reads: "Our gang may have been in a tight spot when we last left them, but Rick and Co. are going to be recruiting as many people as possible in order to get revenge on those man-eating freaks who run Terminus."

In season four finale A, the story's main characters are caught and held by the people of Terminus. Along the way they see what appears to be a pile of human remains, as well the ominous BBQ being used and a creepy room with the inscription: 'WE FIRST ALWAYS' written on the wall.

The Walking Dead is expected to return this autumn.