If you are a fan of EastEnders, you might be wondering what happened to Lola Pearce, the young hairdresser who was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
Sadly, Lola passed away on Wednesday 31st May 2023, leaving behind her daughter Lexi and her husband Jay.
In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about Lola’s tragic story and how it affected her loved ones.
Lola’s Diagnosis
Lola was rushed to hospital in October of 2022, after a series of dizzy spells and a serious seizure left her loved ones concerned.
She was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was told by doctors that her condition was incurable.
According to The Sun, actress Danielle Harold said that she was “honoured” to be trusted with such a “heartbreaking” storyline that “many people can relate to”.
Lola faced her diagnosis with bravery and optimism, and tried to make the most of her remaining time with her family and friends.
She also decided to reconnect with her biological mother Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit), who had abandoned her when she was three years old.
Lola hoped to find some closure and forgiveness from her mother, but Emma turned out to be selfish and manipulative, and tried to take advantage of Lola’s situation.
Lola’s Wedding
One of Lola’s biggest wishes was to marry Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), the love of her life and the father of her daughter Lexi (Isabella Brown).
Jay had been by Lola’s side every step of the way, and proposed to her on Christmas Day 2022.
Lola accepted his proposal and they planned a simple but beautiful wedding for January 2023.
The wedding day was full of joy and tears, as Lola and Jay exchanged their vows in front of their closest friends and family.
Lola looked stunning in a white dress and a flower crown, while Jay wore a blue suit and a matching tie.
They shared their first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”, and thanked everyone for their support and love.
Lola also gave a touching speech, where she said that she was “the luckiest girl in the world” to have Jay and Lexi in her life.
Is Lola Dead in EastEnders?
Lola’s health deteriorated rapidly after her wedding, as she suffered from more seizures, headaches, and memory loss.
She was admitted to hospice care in May 2023, where she received palliative treatment to ease her pain and discomfort.
She knew that she didn’t have long left, and tried to prepare herself and her loved ones for the inevitable.
On Wednesday 31st May 2023, Lola passed away peacefully in her sleep, with Jay holding her hand.
She was 28 years old.
Her death left everyone heartbroken and devastated, especially Jay and Lexi, who struggled to cope with their loss.
Jay blamed himself for not being able to save Lola, while Lexi felt angry and confused about why her mummy had to die.
Lola’s Funeral
Lola’s funeral took place on Friday 9th June 2023, at Walford Crematorium.
It was attended by many of her friends and family from Albert Square, as well as some surprise guests from her past, such as Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick), Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), Peter Beale (Dayle Hudson), and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald).
Everyone wore something pink or purple, which were Lola’s favourite colours.
The funeral service was led by Reverend Stevens (Michael Keating), who praised Lola for her kindness, courage, and humour.
He also read out some messages from people who couldn’t attend the funeral, such as Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), and Kim Fox (Tameka Empson). Jay delivered a moving eulogy, where he said that Lola was his “soulmate”, his “best friend”, and his “hero”.
He also promised to look after Lexi and make Lola proud.
After the service, everyone gathered at The Queen Vic pub for a wake, where they shared their memories and stories of Lola.
They also watched a video montage of Lola’s life, which featured clips from her childhood, her time in EastEnders, and her wedding day.
The video ended with a message from Lola herself, where she thanked everyone for their love and said that she would always be with them in spirit.
Who Plays Lola in EastEnders?
Lola Pearce is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, who is played by actress Danielle Harold.
She first appeared on the show in July 2011 as the granddaughter of Billy Mitchell and Julie Perkins.
She left the show in July 2015, but returned in April 2019.
Lola is currently involved in a tragic storyline where she is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and dies in May 2023.
Danielle Harold is an English actress who was born on 30 May 1992.
Before joining EastEnders, she was featured in the television series Jamie’s Dream School, where she was mentored by celebrities such as David Starkey and Jane Poynter.
She has also appeared in films such as Fanged Up, The Tombs, and Dead Ringer.
Harlod has been nominated for several awards for her role as Lola, including Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards and Sexiest Female at the British Soap Awards.
When did Lola Pearce give birth in a live broadcast on EastEnders?
Lola Pearce gave birth to her daughter Lexi Pearce in a special live broadcast on 23 July 2012.
This made her the first character on EastEnders and the second character in soap opera history to give birth live on air.
The live segment coincided with her grandfather Billy Mitchell carrying the Olympic Torch through Walford as part of the London 2012 Olympics.
Conclusion
Lola’s death was one of the most emotional and impactful moments in EastEnders history.
She touched many lives with her kindness, courage, and humour.
Lola will be dearly missed by her fans and her co-stars.
If you want to pay tribute to Lola or share your memories of her, you can leave a comment below or join the discussion on our social media pages.
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