EastEnders’ Danielle Harold ‘in tears’ after being told her character is ‘to be killed off’

The Sun reports that new boss Chris Clenshaw has taken the decision to axe the actress from the programme.

EastEnders actress Danielle Harold was reportedly left in tears after being told that she is to be axed from the soap.

A ‘huge storyline’ is being planned around Lola’s departure, according to The Sun.

“Danielle was in pieces. The cull came out of the blue. She was not expecting the chop because her character has been a firm favourite with viewers. She’ll be written out with no option to return,” an insider told the tabloid.

Danielle, 29, met with bosses expecting to extend her current contract, but was told that she is being irretrievably written out instead.

The report adds that a “number of the cast” are due to be shown the door as part of a shake-up under the show’s new boss Chris Clenshaw.

“Danielle was teary but was told a number of the cast were being shown the door. No-one else has been given their marching orders yet however.

“The rest of the cast are rallying around her,” the insider noted

Danielle originally played the role of Lola between 2011-2015. The rebellious granddaughter of Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) was in care before being taken in by her ‘pops’.

The character’s storylines included falling pregnant after a one night stand with Ben Mitchell, fighting Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) over custody of her daughter Lexi, and relationships with Peter Beale (Ben Hardy) and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick).

Lola and Lexi departed Walford to make a fresh start in Newcastle in July 2015.

Danielle reprised the role in autumn 2018 with the character, reappearing on screen from April 2019. Lola’s storylines have since included a reprisal of her romance with Jay and a new relationship with Isaac Baptiste (Stevie Basaula). Last month, she was left devastated after finding out that Isaac had met someone else while staying with his mum in Trinidad.