Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) makes a surprise return to EastEnders this Christmas, leaving her grieving husband Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) shocked.
Her return after passing away in May is sure to have a major impact on troubled Jay, who’s been struggling since Lola’s death from a brain tumour.
It’s been a really tough year for Jay, who was by Lola’s side from the moment she was diagnosed in October 2022 following a series of dizzy spells and a serious seizure.
Jay proposed to Lola that Christmas and the couple wed in January in front of their closest family and friends, including Lola’s beloved ‘pops’, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and his partner Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton).
Lola had initially called off the wedding after yet another hospital dash, not wanting Jay to have to spend his life caring for her. But Jay eventually managed to talk her round.
At the emotional wedding, Lola described Billy as her mum, dad and granddad all rolled into one.
But just two months later, Lola delivered the heartbreaking news to her family that she only had six months left to live.
Jay nursed her to the end, and her tragic but peaceful death was aired on May 31, 2023.
Since then, Jay has struggled to cope, and was cruelly disowned by both Billy andBen Mitchell (Max Bowden), who refused to let him see Lola’s daughter Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown).
He ended up in a coma following a catastrophic car crash after taking a trip to Margate while under the influence of drugs, and later admitted he had thought about taking his life many times since she died.
This Christmas, Lola will return from the dead for a second time – she previously appeared in the summer in a special video message recorded for Lexi, which was in a memory box.
In that message, she reiterated her love for Lexi, telling her to seek support from Ben and Jay, who will always be there for her ‘every step of the way’.
This time, it’s Honey who has a special message recorded by Lola, which she gives to Jay.
After some encouragement, he listens to what Lola has to say, and is left very surprised by what he hears.
What does Lola say in the message? Is is especially for Jay? What will Billy make of it? And will it be enough to help Jay get his life back on track?
