EastEnders spoilers – Lola death aftermath revealed by show boss

EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders‘ executive producer Chris Clenshaw has shared details of what’s next for Lola Pearce-Brown’s loved ones after her tragic death.

The BBC soap airs heartbreaking scenes next week as Lola’s family and friends gather to say their goodbyes to her before she passes away.

Lola was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and was later told that her illness was terminal. More recently, specialists at the hospital confirmed that all treatment options had been exhausted.

Related: EastEnders star Max Bowden opens up over “hardest ever” storyline

Speaking at an EastEnders press event about the aftermath of Lola’s death, Clenshaw explained: “I don’t think any of them will be the same again – Billy, Jay, Lexi, Honey. It’ll obviously have devastating consequences for the family.

“Lola has been in this position where she’s become aware of what’s ahead, so she’s given some certain requests to the family. She’s asked Jay to make sure that he always talks to Lexi about her, and she’s put things in place for the immediate future.

“But that may not last forever. It’ll be a difficult process and obviously it’s a sad ending for Lola – she won’t be there for the rest of her family.”

Related: EastEnders star Kellie Bright teases Linda Carter’s big new shock

He continued: “Billy, Jay, Lexi and Ben all pull together and are there for each other in the immediate future, but that won’t last forever.

“Jay will find friendship with another key person.”

Clenshaw also spoke about the show’s decision to choose Lola for this storyline, knowing that it would ultimately lead to her departure from the show.

Related: Strictly Come Dancing star Molly Rainford shares EastEnders role details

He said: “It wasn’t a decision that we took lightly. We discussed it for many months, and we wanted to make sure that it was the right decision.

“The charities that we’ve worked with have been overwhelmed by the awareness that the story has raised and Danielle [Harold, who plays Lola] has been speaking to people directly.

“None of us want to say goodbye to the character, and none of us want to say goodbye to Danielle, but I think that’s the character Danielle has created. She is so well loved, and you can only really tell a story like this with a character that is so well loved.”

EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage

Organisations including Brain Tumour Research, Macmillan Cancer Support and Stand Up to Cancer can provide help and support to those living with brain cancer and their loved ones.

Daniel has been writing about soaps on Digital Spy since 2004 and took over as Soaps Editor in 2010.  
He has interviewed hundreds of soap stars over the years, from Bill Roache to Lacey Turner, and regularly visits the sets of Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks for behind-the-scenes trips and press events.  
He has served as an awards judge on numerous occasions for the likes of the BAFTA TV Awards, RTS Programme Awards and British Soap Awards. In 2020, he was Highly Commended for Best Section Editor at the BSME Awards.