EastEnders viewers were brought to tears as much-loved character Lola Pearce tragically passed away.
Viewers lauded the soap for showcasing the ‘brutal’ and ‘heartbreaking’ reality of a terminal cancer diagnosis.
In what has been described as the ‘saddest ever’ exit, Lola (Danielle Harold) lost her battle to brain cancer in Wednesday’s show.
Lola’s loved ones rallied around her during a stormy night, after her nurse warned them she may just have hours to live.
And fans watched Lola’s emotional husband Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) say his final goodbye.
Devastating: EastEnders viewers were brought to tears as much-loved character Lola Pearce tragically passed away
Emotional: Fans watched Lola’s emotional husband Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) say his final goodbye
Jay struggled to say goodbye and quickly became emotional: ‘I can’t say it, I can’t. You ain’t leaving me, you are in my biones, my veins, it is not our time.
‘If there’s a god, we’ll have another shot at this. Maybe we’ll come back as something else, me you and Lex. A family of ants. As long as I get to come back with you. This ain’t goodbye, I don’t have to say it.’
Jay stepped out the room for a moment and as he reentered the room, he noticed the bad weather had lifted and that ‘the sun had come out’ for his wife.
As he turned to face Lola he realised that while he was out of the room she had sadly passed away.
Jay broke down into tears, while Lexi woke up and reassuring her step-dad, she said: ‘She did it for us’
BBC viewers then saw Lexi and Jay cradling Lola’s body and sobbing, as they struggled with their grief while EastEnders’ famous Julia’s Theme played.
EastEnders fans were left in ‘puddles of tears’ as Denise Fox made a poignant promise to dying Lola.
BBC viewers were left heartbroken as Denise (Diane Parish), who employed Lola at her salon, promised to be an ‘extra auntie’ to her only daughter Lexi.
She said: ‘ You’ve been a good worker for me over the years, Lo. You got real flair.
‘But more than that, enough though I’m over the hill, you’ve been a mate. So wise beyond your years, your tea left a little bit to be desired, though, babe.
‘I’m going to look out for Lex. I know she’s got people, but one extra auntie ain’t going to hurt, is it?’
The scene came to a close with Denise giving Lola a kiss and whispering: ‘You take care, sweetheart’, leaving viewers in floods of tears.
Taking to Twitter, one said: ‘Denise’s goodbye to Lola was beautiful, saying she’ll always look out for Lexi.’
Another wrote: ‘Denise broke my heart,’ while a third added: ‘That Lola and Denise scene broke my heart’.
A fourth penned: ‘My heart is breaking at these scenes.’
‘Denise saying she’s going to be an extra Auntie to Lexi. I’m a puddle of tears,’ said another.
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