EastEnders’ Max Bowden says Lola’s death is ‘hardest thing he’s done’ because of real-life tragedy
EASTENDERS’ fans have been on an emotional roller coaster watching poor Lola Pearce’s final days.
But it isn’t just viewers who are finding it tough, as actor Max Bowden – who plays Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap – has also found it hard going.
Young mum Lola – played by Danielle Harold – has terminal brain cancer.
She will sadly die in scenes set to be shown next week, leaving her grieving friends and family behind.
But the tragic storyline has had an impact not only on fans, but the cast.
Actor Max – who’s character Ben has a child with Lola – has found it tough as he has experienced a good friend dying of a brain tumour.
Taking to Instagram, he shared a clip from last night’s EastEnders’, which shows Ben desperately trying to find a cure for poor Lola.
He then wrote an emotional message next to it, which read: “This storyline has been the hardest I have ever had to deal with. 21 months ago I lost my best friend in the world to an undiagnosed brain tumour.
“Friday afternoon we were on the phone for an hour discussing Ronaldo to united return, 24 hours later he went into a coma and never woke up.
“Coming to terms with this grief has been the most turbulent, overwhelming, impossible thing I have ever had to overcome, and telling this story with Lola has been a tough old ride but an incredibly rewarding one.
“When we lose someone, we never know how we’re going to feel, how we’re going to change. Ben is no exception.”
He ended the touching post with: “Playing a character doesn’t mean I agree with his choices, however we can all appreciate that grief does different things to different people.
“I appreciate all of the lovely messages. Oh, and gentle reminder to be kind really proud of our EastEnders team for their constant good work and ambition to tell tough stories. X”
EastEnders’ viewers have been left in tears watching Lola Pearce getting more and more sick.
The young mum-of-one doesn’t have long until she passes away from terminal cancer.
The Sun confirmed earlier this week, that Lola will die during the EastEnders episode next Wednesday (May 31, 2023).
Her last scenes were filmed in April 2023 and her funeral has also already been shot, so this will likely to follow not long after she passes away.
It was revealed in 2022 that Lola had an untreatable brain tumour.
Doctors were hopeful they could cut out the majority of the tumour and then treat her with chemo and radiotherapy to get the rest of it.
But sadly, this wasn’t the case and she was told she didn’t have long to live
The beloved hairstylist has since been determined to make happy memories with her loved ones as her time quickly runs out.
Actress Danielle Harold plays the young mum and first joined the EastEnders cast as Lola in 2011, before being written out of the show in 2015.
The character then made a dramatic return in 2019, and over the years has been involved in some big storylines.
Dannielle previously told the BBC: “Lola’s story has been a very hard one to tell and one that sadly affects so many people.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet historically only 1% of research is allocated to this devastating disease.
“I would like to take a moment for everybody that has reached out to me and shared their experiences with me, I have read every message and hold all of your messages close to my heart whilst playing this story.
“I have been blessed to meet the most incredible people and work with some wonderful charities along the way and I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, advice and love.”