EastEnders fans break down in tears as Lola Pearce celebrates bittersweet birthday amid cancer battle
VIEWERS of EastEnders were left in tears as Lola Pearce celebrated her ‘last ever’ birthday as her grandfather Billy Mitchell turned 64.
The episode saw Billy panic about celebrating the fact he was turning older as he felt he was “rubbing her face in it” amid her cancer battle on the BBC soap.
Unbeknown to Billy, Lola was secretly listening in to his late night conversation with Honey where he expressed his worry.
Lola was determined to not let Billy feel down and with the help of Jay, Alfie, Linda and the other residents of Albert Square, decided to throw him an epic surprise birthday bash at The Vic.
Upon realising the plans, Honey was clearly rattled as she knew that Billy would not be able to cope with his emotions at the party but before she had time to tell Lola, Billy stumbled into the pub where he was left gobsmacked to find his nearest and dearest gathered to celebrate his birthday.
Lola had chosen a superhero theme to show her “pops” that he was her “superhero”.
However, unable to cope with the thought of it being the last birthday he spends with Lola, Billy stormed out during the celebrations.
Lola chased after him where the pair had a moving heart-to-heart on the pub stairs.
She said to him: “Sorry if I got it wrong.”
Billy replied: “No you didn’t, you are amazing!”
Explaining her thought process she told him: “It’s because I heard you talking in the middle of the night with Honey.
“You said you didn’t think you were a good person and I thought, ‘well that can’t be right, you’re my superhero’!”
The pair continued their emotional chat as they looked back on Billy taking Lola in and giving her a home.
Through gritted teeth, Lola added: “Pops as much as you don’t wanna hear it, this is our last birthday together…”
Billy quickly interrupted to say: “No, don’t please, Lo…”
Despite the difficult conversation, the pair managed to smile at the end as they snapped some final birthday selfies together and vowed to enjoy the party for what it was.
At home, viewers were left in tears at the heartbreaking conversation.
One said: “That was so sweet. I’m crying already.”
Another penned: “Anyone else crying at Lola and Billy?”
While a third wrote: “That is just adorable.”