After a decade on one of UK’s biggest soaps, EastEnders favourite Danielle Harold is about to embark on the biggest storyline of her career.
This week, we’ll see her character Lola Pearce diagnosed with a brain tumour after collapsing and suffering a seizure.
But while the storyline could spell the end for Lola, it could also open up a world of opportunities for 30-year-old Danielle.
The actress, who has spent most of her 20s on EastEnders, is keen to explore new opportunities in her 30s – and wouldn’t rule out a move Stateside.
“If Hollywood wants to call, I’m here!” she said at the National Television Awards last week.
“I’ve been for some talks and I’d love to go to LA for pilot season.”
America seems a long way from Albert Square though – and after Lola’s devastating diagnosis in EastEnders this week, fans will be left wondering whether they’ll lose one of their soap favourites.
But Danielle is keeping tight-lipped about what the future holds.
For now though, she is feeling the responsibility of the storyline most keenly and says that she has been overcome with emotion most days.
Danielle also reckons that if she can help to raise more awareness about brain tumours, and the thousands of people living with them, it will all be worth it.
“It’s hard and emotional, but good to film,” Danielle said. “I just want to get it right.
“You’re putting yourself through what you think that person is feeling – which is nothing compared to what they’re actually going through – but it takes its toll. It’s draining.
“I’m whacked after work. Once I finish for the day, I take a minute to appreciate my own life – and realise how lucky I am.”
The storyline will lead to Danielle’s exit from Albert Square, but it’s not yet known if she will be leaving for good.
Despite reports that Lola will die, the outcome of the storyline has yet to be confirmed – and Danielle has no idea how things are going to go either.
EastEnders will kick off Lola’a latest storyline this week, when she has a seizure at a pageant for daughter Lexi [Isabella Brown].
Lola then has another dizzy spell in the bathroom and collapses before an ambulance is called.
At the hospital, the doctors carry out a CT scan and tell Lola and her close friend Jay [ Jamie Borthwick ] that they have found a tumour – and it may be cancerous.
Danielle has been working closely with Brain Tumour Research and Macmillan Cancer Support on the storyline.
“I’ve done tonnes of research and met so many families,” she said. “They’ve been crucial.
“When news of the storyline came out, I had so many people get in contact with me. I didn’t realise how many people it affects.
“It’s not spoken about much so that’s why I’m so glad we’re doing this story, to raise awareness.
“This week we’ll see Lola working out how she feels about it. It takes viewers through all the steps of how it really does happen in real life. It’s so important to follow that journey.
“It’s heartbreaking to do but the show is doing this story justice.” Danielle made her Walford debut in 2011 as the granddaughter of Billy Mitchell and Julie Perkins and feisty Lola quickly became a show favourite.
Her first major storyline involved her character’s pregnancy at the age of 15 after a one-night stand with her cousin, Ben Mitchell [Joshua Pascoe/Harry Reid/ Max Bowden ].
In July 2012, Danielle made EastEnders history when Lola gave birth in a special live broadcast.
Since then, her storylines have focused on her relationship with her family and her battle to keep Lexi out of care.
But before Danielle’s acting career began in earnest, she featured in the 2011 television series Jamie’s Dream School, which was fronted by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
In the show, Danielle – who got just one GCSE as she had lost out on a year of school due to illness – was given the chance to go back to the classroom.
She was marked out as one of the brightest students and after that, she decided to study acting.
Danielle has no idea what her next career move will be, but says she wouldn’t rule out reality television.
“Whatever comes along, I’ll take a look at it,” she said. “People don’t know Danielle yet and I would love to show more of me, but I’m not thinking about life after EastEnders right now.
“I’ll miss the show and the people so much, but I’m excited to work on other projects.”
While rumours have abounded about a romance with her EastEnders co-star Bobby Brazier, single Danielle is excited about having the time to find love after leaving EastEnders.
“There’s no romance at the moment because I’m so busy with this storyline,” she laughed.
“Maybe when I leave the show I’ll have more time for that… it’ll be nice to get my life back.”
