As we get set to bid goodbye to Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), a popular character on EastEnders, Kleenex should be ready.
Following the news that her brain tumour did not react to therapy and that palliative chemo proved ineffective, the popular character’s health has been rapidly deteriorating in recent episodes.
As Lola’s passing draws closer, her friends and family assemble to say farewell. However, some individuals struggle with the awful truth of what is occurring and look for other means of coping.
Will everyone get to spend quality time with Lola?
Jay calls in help from a nurse
When it becomes apparent that Lola is in her final days of life, Jay (Jamie Borthwick) realises he needs help and phones nurse Suzanne. Suzanne alerts Jay that they are getting close to the end when Lola had another seizure.
According to the actress Danielle Harold, Lola is aware of what is occurring and is aware that she doesn’t have much time left.
‘During her palliative care, Lola obviously feels her deterioration fairly swiftly. She is aware that her time is running out since her symptoms are growing worse, she is forgetful more often, and she is experiencing more seizures.
Billy struggles – and is arrested
When Billy (Perry Fenwick) learns that his cherished granddaughter is in her last hours, he panics and rushes Lexi (Isabella Brown), Will (Freddie Phillips), and Janet out of the home to keep them safe.
He turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism and has a run-in with Nish (Navin Chowdhry), who purposefully riles him up. Billy destroys the Minute Mart’s window out of wrath and despair, and Martin (James Bye), Honey (Emma Barton), and Phil (Steve McFadden) had to stop him. Billy accidently punches Jack (Scott Maslen) as he comes to try to calm things down. Billy is then taken into custody.
Ben goes to America to find hope for Lola
Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), who has travelled to America to look for a cure that could save Lola and is still unwilling to accept that there is nothing that can be done, is noticeably absent as Lola’s loved ones get ready to say their last goodbyes to her. Even worse, he hasn’t communicated and no one is certain of his whereabouts, which has left Billy and Jay incensed and Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and Callum (Tony Clay) worried.
Callum is tasked by Kathy with finding his spouse using his sleuthing prowess. Can he locate Ben in time?
Kim and Denise plan a special gesture to cheer dying Lola
Kim (Tameka Empson), who was injured in a car accident, is eager to see Lola despite becoming more anxious about it. She visits Denise (Diane Parish), a good friend and former coworker, in an effort to cheer her up.
They stage an emotional special welcome for Lola in the Square so that she knows that all of her friends and neighbours are thinking of her.
Denise and Kim visit Lola since she is obviously quite ill right now. They do so in an effort to help her feel better, as well as to chat with her and pamper her. Added Danielle Harold.
They just gather at her bedside to say their goodbyes and be with her.
Billy’s fate is in Nish’s hands
Jack argues that Billy’s release is only possible if Nish agrees to retract his testimony as a witness and drop the charges against Billy for shattering the window, despite Honey and Phil’s urgent attempts to free Billy so he may say his farewell to his granddaughter. Can Phil and Honey persuade Nish to agree?
Family members of Lola come to bid her farewell.
Lola grows more mute as the death draws near. Jay struggles with his feelings while attempting to be strong for her. In their visit to Lola’s bedroom, Kathy and Callum agree to watch after Lexi.
Will Lexi be able to say goodbye to her mother on her own? And when will her father Ben return to Albert Square?
Friends and family assemble at the Vic
As word of Lola’s passing spreads around Albert Square, Linda (Kellie Bright) invites Callum, Jack, Rocky (Brian Conley), Whitney (Shona McGarty), Denise, and other people to a lock-in at the Queen Vic, where they offer one another support and discuss Lola’s life and the sorrow of her passing at such a young age.
These sequences will be shown on EastEnders every Monday at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One.