A heartbreaking EastEnders death has been confirmed as tear-jerking funeral scenes were filmed in Walford this week.
Terminally ill Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) was given six months to live in March amid her brain tumor battle and now her passing is slated for future scenes.
A funeral procession, with the hearse and flowers spelling Lola’s name, was spotted on the set of the BBC One soap this week.
A white coffin was seen inside, with a number of special messages from Walford icons, including Kat Slater, written on the side.
A message written by Bobby Beale reads, “Life can be so cruel, so heartbroken.”
Sad: A heartbreaking EastEnders death has been confirmed as tear-jerking funeral scenes were filmed in Walford this week
Disturbing: A funeral procession, with the hearse and flowers spelling out Lola’s name, was seen arriving on the set of the BBC One soap this week
Emotional: Terminally ill Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) was given six months to live in March amid her brain tumor battle and now her passing is slated for future scenes
It comes after Danielle broke her silence last month about her imminent departure from EastEnders after filming some of her final scenes for the soap.
The actress, 30, who plays Lola on the series, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped tell Lola’s story.
The character has a terminal brain tumor and was recently given only months to live, with her final scenes expected to air later this year.
Danielle shared a photo of herself lying in hospital with a bandage on her head as she was comforted by her husband Jay Mitchell (Jamie Borthwick).
Alongside the photo, Danielle wrote, “Lola’s story was very hard to tell and one that means so much to me and sadly affects so many people.
Brain tumors kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically only 1% of research is allocated to this devastating disease.
“I would like to take a moment for everyone who has contacted me and shared their experiences with me. I have read every message and keep all your messages close to my heart as I play this story.
‘I’ve been blessed to meet the most incredible people and work with some amazing charities along the way and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your support, advice and love ❤️’.
Funeral: A white coffin was seen inside, with a number of special messages from Walford icons including Kat Slater on the side
Tough Words: A message written by Bobby Beale reads, ‘Life can be so cruel, so heartbroken’
Filming: The funeral car with the coffin and floral arrangements inside arrived in Walford for the scenes
Joining them in the heartbreaking scene were Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and his husband Callum (Tony Clay).
Several of Danielle’s EastEnders co-stars reacted to the post, with Max Bowden writing, ‘Our girl ❤️❤️❤️❤️ YOU helped save lives. And deliver the best performance. An absolute beacon and a superstar.
Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell, said: ‘Words can’t express how I feel about you baby…you are a masterpiece, talent, true, honest & WOW!’
Clair Norris, who stars as Bernadette Taylor, wrote, “So proud of you! ❤️’
Gurlaine Kaur Gartcha, who plays Ash Kaur, added, “You’re amazing.”
Throughout the show, Ben Mitchell’s mental health will continue to plunge to new depths as Lola drops the bombshell after learning she has months to live.
Farewell: It comes after Danielle broke her silence last month about her impending departure from EastEnders after filming some of her final scenes for the soap
Heartbreaking: The actress, 30, who plays Lola in the series, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped tell Lola’s story
Danielle wrote, ‘I’ve been blessed to meet the most incredible people and work with some amazing charities along the way’
In recent episodes, Ben struggles with his ex’s prognosis, and in the next few scenes he decides to ignore his feelings by competing in a boxing match.
After some unexpected news from the police, things get even worse for Ben as he keeps bottling up his feelings.
And after sharing her prognosis with her father Billy, Lola realizes she needs to put her house in order and tells Jay she wants him to adopt her daughter Lexi.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.