EastEnders star Danielle Harold’s Lola Pearce is heading for a permanent end from the BBC soap, with the news leaving the actress in tears.
She has starred in more than 550 episodes since 2011 and quickly became a fan favourite around the square.
Eleven years since stepping foot in the iconic East London location, she is now leaving in what is set to be the next dramatic kill-off.
The news came as a shock for the star, who wasn’t expected to get the boot anytime soon.
It comes after the actress suffered from a series of health concerns since she was a teenager.
What health battle has Danielle Harold faced?
(Image: Getty Images)
Danielle’s health battles began at the age of 15, when she was taken to hospital for the first time and soon became a regular.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: “When I was in Year 10, I fell ill and I was in and out of hospital.
“At that point I just gave up. I didn’t try with my GCSEs and I only got one.”
She didn’t reveal what the serious illness was but did admit that it made her lose all her confidence.
She added: “After that I worked as a waitress, but I didn’t really enjoy it. I lost all my confidence and I didn’t believe in myself.”
She slowly built her confidence back up though, as she soon saw an advert for Jamie’s Dream School – a programme ran by TV chef Jamie Oliver that helped teens get their GCSEs to achieve their dreams.
She explained: “Jamie Oliver was a complete life-changer for me. I was so lucky to have got on that programme.
“It was so much fun and a completely new experience. It made me believe in myself and made me realise I could achieve whatever I wanted in life.
“You just need a little bit of encouragement sometimes and someone that believes in you.
“But some young people like Lola don’t have that support or encouragement.
“After going to Jamie’s Dream School I was told to apply to Cambridge University.
“One of the teachers was really keen on an essay I had written. I had never written an essay before so it was a bit of a shock.
“He introduced me to someone who would help me to apply. They really thought I could do it. But it wasn’t for me – acting was my calling. That’s when I landed the part of Lola. It was like a dream come true.”
Why is Danielle Harold getting axed from EastEnders?
It appears the BBC’s script writers behind EastEnders are planning a major plot around Lola, as she is departing from the series.
It comes as part of new boss Chris Clenshaw’s plan to shake-up the series, which will include more than one major twist over the summer.
Speaking to the Sun, an EastEnders insider said: “Dan was in pieces. The cull came out of the blue.
“She was not expecting the chop because her character has been a firm favourite with viewers. She’ll be written out with no option to return.”
It appears Danielle met with the showrunners last week, who confirmed she is to run out the six months remaining on her contract before leaving the show for good.
She originally expected the meeting was to discuss an extension to her contract, but the insider continued: “Danielle was teary but was told a number of the cast were being shown the door.”
Have other EastEnders stars been axed?
It appears that Danielle won’t be the first to go in what seems to be a ‘cast cull’ from the BBC soap.
The set insider added: “No-one else has been given their marching orders yet, however. The rest of the cast are rallying around her.”
If and when more cast members are confirmed to leave the Square, the BBC will likely release an official statement in the coming weeks.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
