Inside I’m A Celebrity star Danielle Harold’s life off-screen – from health battle to celebrity friends
SOAP favourite Lola Pearce was killed off earlier this year after battling a terminal brain tumour.
Former EastEnders star Danielle Harold has since moved on as she gets ready to embark on the newest season of I’m A Celebrity.
Popular Walford resident Lola watched her boyfriend Isaac Baptiste walk away from the fictional borough as Stevie Basaula left the long-running drama at the end of March, 2022.
But a decade after her debut in the London-based drama, she was shown the door.
Actress Danielle Harold was allegedly left teary after learning she would be killed off last year.
Tear-jerking scenes aired in late May, 2023, showed Lola Pearce drawing her last breath with her daughter Lexi and husband Jay Brown, leaving soap fans in tatters.
Since then, and as mentioned above, Danielle decided to cut ties with Walford by heading to the I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! jungle.
The Sun reported the former soap star was in talks with producers to join the reality show in September – and her participation was finally confirmed.
Danielle will be diving into camp life alongside Jamie-Lynn Spears, Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage, amongst others, ready to take on some of the most gruelling challenges on screens.
Luckily for her, Danielle Harold’s life is less of a rollercoaster off-screen, although she has been known to struggle with illness since her teen years.
A surprise Jamie Oliver connection
While she’ll be most likely remembered for her stint in EastEnders, many aren’t aware that Danielle has star chef Jamie Oliver to thank for her big break.
Danielle left school with a single GCSE and went into waitressing work to get by.
Aware this clearly wasn’t the job for her, she spotted an advert for reality TV show Jamie’s Dream School.
The program intended to help teens with fewer than five GCSEs get their dream jobs – which felt like a sign for aspiring actress Danielle.
Stars in the likes of Cherie Blair and Alastair Campbell took her under their wings but it was historian David Sarkey who was left stunned with her work.
The history expert even suggested she should apply to Cambridge University.
“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”, she told the Daily Mail when remembering her experience.
“I worried quitting my job would be a mistake but it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.”
This was due to the fact that, soon after her appearance on the show, Danielle landed her iconic role on EastEnders.
Long-term health battle
Many may wonder why Danielle left school with only one GCSE – but it wasn’t due to a lack of revising.
The Lewisham actress’ school years were shaken up after she contracted a very serious illness which she has since spoken freely about.
As a child, she suffered from a long-term bladder illness which was so harrowing to handle, it prevented her from taking her exams.
“I was in year 10 when I fell ill”, she one recalled during an interview with The Mirror.
“At that point I just gave up and didn’t try with GCSEs.”
“I knew I’d never get good grades, I’ve always wanted to act; drama was the only lesson I enjoyed at school.”
As she spoke about her time in school, Danielle also gave a glimpse on what kind of student she had been, asserting she displayed some of Lola’s bold behaviour.
“I wouldn’t cause trouble but I had a lot of Lola’s attitude. I’d be feisty and answer back”, she said.
“I was so small when I started secondary school that I’d have to stick up for myself.”
One happy on-screen family
After a decade of starring in the BBC One soap, Danielle has been catapulted into the spotlight while forming a bond with EastEnders’ royalty.
The 31-year-old is pals with Mick Carter actor Danny Dyer, who has made his own heart-breaking exit in late 2022.
During lockdown in 2020, she shared a screenshot of a video call on social media with Emma Barton aka Honey Mitchell and former co-stars Adam Woodyatt and Maisie Smith.
“Missing my EastEnders family”, she captioned.
More recently, Danielle was posted a snap of a night out with more of her co-stars on her Instagram account.
These included Shona McGarty, Stevie Basaula, Clay Milner Russell, Habiba Ahmed actress Rukku Nahar and Zack Morris.
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday on BBC One.
