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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

EastEnders' Danielle Harold speaks out on filming Lola's emotional death scene

Danielle Harold has spoken out about filming Lola's "emotional" death scene in an episode which will air next week.

The actress, 30, has played the mum-of-one since 2011 and admitted she was "so sad" for the character, who is battling brain cancer.

As Lola's fight with the disease is about to come an end, Danielle admits the storyline has been "very difficult to play".

She said: “The whole story has been hard with just how sad it is. Brain tumours are so awful, they affect so many. And watching people decline in that way… It’s been very difficult to play.”

Speaking about leaving the soap, she continued: “It’s crazy that it’s coming to an end now. But I’ve also been so busy because the storyline has been so full-on that I’ve not really had time to think about finishing or me going."

Danielle Harold has spoken out about filming Lola's 'emotional' death scene (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

“I’m glad that I finally got to play so many bits of Lola’s life story that I’ve always wanted to do – we’ve rounded Lola up in a really lovely way this year. And it’s been such a privilege to do this storyline," she told OK! magazine.

Lola got married to Jay Brown, played by Jamie Borthwick in January and the actors are both up for Best On-Screen Partnership at the British Soap Awards.

Another actor Danielle has a close connection with is Perry Fenwick, who plays Lola's grandad, Billy Mitchell.

She said the seasoned star is like a father to her, joking: 'whether he likes it or not.'

Lola leaves behind daughter Lexi in the tragic storyline (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Lola was told her cancer was terminal earlier this year, but as her treatment stopped working recently she learned the devastating news she had just months to live.

This soon became weeks in tragic scenes, as doctors informed the young mum there was nothing more they could do for her.

In scenes this week, Lola was taken home from the hospital as she wanted to spend her last days at home with her family, including daughter Lexi.

Next week, Lola's death nears and her loved ones must gather the strength to say goodbye.

Danielle and Jamie are both up for a gong at the Soap Awards (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

As she begins to suffer seizures, the nurse breaks the news to Jay that his wife doesn't have long left, and is near the end.

Billy is bereft and panics as he wants to get Lexi and his own kids out of the house so they don't see what's happening.

Meanwhile, Lexi's dad Ben Mitchell is still in America trying to save his ex - unaware how close to death she is.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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