Blast from the Past with… ex-eastenders star Danielle Harold (Lola)
Danielle Harold has carved out a new niche in horror movies – and her scary moments on Albert Square were great training…
As Walford wild child Lola
Pearce, star Danielle Harold played out more drama in four years than most actors do in a lifetime. Lola was a fantastic, feisty character who managed to date half of the Square, have a baby with her gay relative Ben, and take on hard man Phil during her time in the East End. So it came as a massive shock when show bosses announced that Lola was leaving – and for Danielle, it meant embracing life far outside her comfort zone. But the young talent found a new niche in horror films, and she reckons being part of the Mitchell clan was the perfect preparation for scary movies.
“I was terrified when I found out I’d be playing a Mitchell – talk about coming in with a bang!” laughs Danielle, who has worked on films including Fanged
Up and Matt Shaw’s Monster. “I was so happy, though, because I’d watched the show since I was little, and the Mitchells were always my favourite family. But even so, I had no idea of how much drama Lola would be involved in.”
Lola arrived in the Square after being tracked down by her paternal grandad Billy. Having missed the chance to be a dad to his son Dan, Billy was determined to be there for Lola – which led to the start of a deep friendship for Danielle.
“I love Perry Fenwick [Billy]!” she enthuses. “It was so lovely to get to know him and to work with him. As Lola and Billy got closer, me and Perry got closer, which made the on-screen relationship even better. I remember the first day I started filming on my first horror film, I was stood in this prison, covered in blood thinking, ‘Where’s Perry when I need him?’. He’s like a dad to me.”
It was Perry who guided Danielle as she faced the biggest challenge of her young career – giving birth on live TV. Lola went into labour as Billy took the Olympic torch through Albert Square in a special live episode. Cora Cross helped deliver baby Lexi, and having screen stalwarts such as Ann Mitchell (Cora) and Perry by her side was just what Danielle needed.
“Without their support, there was no way I could have done that,” grins the actress. “I was terrified when I found out. I got on the phone with Perry and said, ‘I can’t do this, it’s too scary!’. But Ann and Perry got me through it, they were so great – it was amazing to be part of the Olympics, too. In fact, giving birth live on Eastenders is the highlight of my career so far.” Lola could easily slip back into the show if Danielle was brought back. She has ties to Billy and Phil – and there’s no doubt that Jay still holds a torch for her. “The connection between them was there from the start – I think my second scene was with Jamie Borthwick [aka Jay],” muses Danielle. “Lola moved around quite a bit with the boys, and it was hard to keep up with her. I’d think, ‘Who am I supposed to be with this episode?’ But Jay was always there. They’re soulmates!”
Despite leaving in July 2015, Danielle says Eastenders fans still want to talk to her about Lola, and some of them are worryingly behind in her story…
“Some people say to me, ‘I love you in Eastenders!’ and I think, ‘Oh gosh, I’m not sure they know that I’ve left!” she chuckles. “You’d think it would stop after a few years, but people don’t forget. Maybe it’s because my hair is white-blonde – I don’t blend in!”