EastEnders has given fans a first look as Lola Pearce prepares for surgery after her devastating brain tumour diagnosis.
In the coming scenes, Lola will undergo surgery after doctors discovered she had a brain tumour. Actress Danielle Harold will lead the heartbreaking storyline as Lola, as she and those around her struggle to deal with the diagnosis.
New look pictures show Lola sat in her hospital bed ready to undergo the surgery. She can be seen looking at herself in the mirror and touching her hair as she anxiously prepares for what's ahead, as she faces life as a young person living with a brain tumour.
Danielle previously described how much it meant to be "trusted" with such an important storyline, with the whole team at the BBC soap working alongside Brain Tumour Research and Macmillan Cancer Support for the storyline.
She said: "It means so much to be trusted with a storyline like this – one that’s close to many people’s hearts.
"Sadly many of our viewers will be able to relate to Lola’s story and it’s been heartbreaking to speak to the families affected by brain tumours and hear their stories. They’ve been so amazing in sharing their experiences with me, and I’m so lucky to have them. I wouldn’t be able to do this storyline without their support."
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer of the soap, added: "It was vital for us to work alongside Macmillan and Brain Tumour Research to take on, and accurately present, such a profound and emotional storyline for Lola, one that many viewers may relate to.
"Danielle [Harold] has thoughtfully relayed the realities of being diagnosed with a brain tumour with grace and understanding. We hope that this storyline resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively, and accurately as possible."
The heartbreaking scenes are set to air the week commencing October 31.
Macmillan Cancer Support's Strategic Advisor for Treatment, Dany Bell, said of the importance of the storyline: "Storylines like Lola’s play a crucial role in raising awareness and can genuinely save viewers’ lives, so we are really pleased to be helping EastEnders ensure a realistic experience is being portrayed on the show.
"The moving storyline will show how suddenly a diagnosis can impact every aspect of a person’s life and how challenging it can truly be. We know that what Lola and her fictional family are going through on EastEnders is a daily reality for many people around the UK right now, and Macmillan is here to offer advice and support to anyone who needs it. Anyone watching with concerns about any potential signs or symptoms of cancer must also speak to their GP as soon as possible."
*EastEnders airs on Mondays through Thursdays on BBC One at 7.30pm and on BBC iPlayer.
