EastEnders fans have been left heartbroken following the death of Lola Pearce.
Lola was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and after finding out her condition was terminal, she recently found out that she had weeks left to live.
Denise and Kim Fox, along with Lola's husband Jay Brown, held a gathering for her to lift her spirits – with the Walford residents saying their goodbyes as Lola approached the final days of her life.
READ MORE: EastEnders Lola's death praised by BBC viewers as 'phenomenal' star exits soap
During last night's episode (May 31, 2023), Lola sadly passed away, with both the residents and fans of the BBC soap left heartbroken.
Lola's death is just one of many heartbreaking moments to have aired in EastEnders, with lots of characters sadly dying throughout the years.
Lola Pearce
EastEnders said goodbye to the beloved Lola Pearce this week, following the character's diagnosis with terminal brain cancer.
Her friends and family could be seen spending time with her during her last days, with Albert Square residents sharing their memories of Lola in The Queen Vic in the hours before Lola's death.
Husband Jay shared an emotional final moment with Lola before leaving the room while Lola's daughter Lexi slept next to her.
As the sun rose, Jay could be heard saying: "The sun has come up for you," before he turned around and discovered that Lola had passed away.
Fans took to social media to praise the actors involved and the episode, as one said: "Phenomenal acting from the entire cast tonight. I’m in bits."
"Got the tissues ready I’m sobbing!,” said another.
"Was so beautiful but sad tonight, amazing acting from the actors. proud of them all including Danielle Harold who plays Lola Pearce… she will be missed #GoodbyeLola," another fan shared.
Lou Beale
Lou Beale was one of the EastEnders OGs and appeared in the soap's very first episode in 1985.
For three years she played the matriarch of the Beale family, with her firey temper often on show to the other residents.
She regularly sorted out the family problems, but had a softer side too, which she often showed with fan-favourites including grandson Ian Beale.
However, Lou was the first of many heartbreaking deaths to come in 1988, when following a Beale family drama, Lou told her family: "I can go now," before dying in her sleep.
Pauline Fowler
Pauline Fowler was another of the original EastEnders cast from the first episode – and one of the longest serving characters as she appeared on the soap between 1985 to 2006.
With a loyal fanbase, viewers could not believe their eyes when Pauline died suddenly on Christmas day in 2006.
The Albert Square resident was known for her strong opinions, and had previously lied about being ill in order to keep son Martin away from Sonia Jackson.
However, Pauline suddenly became ill for real after suffering a brain haemorrhage and sadly died soon after under the Christmas tree, with the beloved resident found collapsed in the snow.
Peggy Mitchell
One of The Queen Vic's most iconic owners was none other than Peggy Mitchell – known for her catchphrase "Get outta my pub!"
Appearing between 1994 to 2016, Peggy was diagnosed with cancer and made a return to Albert Square one last time to say goodbye to her family – before sadly taking her own life.
Speaking to the ghost of her friend Pat Butcher, who had died from cancer four years earlier, Peggy could be heard saying: "I will go as I have lived," as fans said goodbye to one of the greatest soap legends of all time.
Pat Butcher
The eighties saw the arrival of many EastEnders legends, including the quick witted Pat Butcher.
Known for her famous earrings and blunt responses, Pat developed a close relationship with fellow Albert Square patriarch Peggy Mitchell during her time on the soap.
However in 2012, Pat died following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, with the character making amends with her fellow residents before her heartbreaking death.
Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell became an instant heartthrob in the 90s when he stepped onto Albert Square in 1998.
He caught the eye of Sonia Jackson too, with their on-off relationship becoming a firm fixture of the soap.
However, Jamie had a huge surprise when Sonia unexpectedly gave birth to daughter Chloe after a one-night stand with his friend Martin Fowler.
Despite Sonia's fling, Jamie reconciled with his girlfriend and they soon became engaged – but heartbreak was to follow.
Jamie was ran over by Martin on Christmas Day and he died in Sonia's arms in the hospital, with fans left in tears as she gave him a kiss on the head while saying goodbye.
Nana Moon
There's been plenty of lovable characters on EastEnders, including the one and only Nana Moon.
Nana arrived on EastEnders alongside her grandsons Alfie and Spencer Moon, with the character later travelling to Normandy to visit her late husband's grave in a storyline that was awarded Best Single Episode at the British Soap Awards 2006.
However, fans were left devastated when Nana suddenly died of an aortic aneurysm during her sleep while in the arms of eldest grandson Alfie in 2005.
Tiffany Mitchell
One of the most heartbreaking and dramatic EastEnders moments involved TV beauty Martine McCutcheon in 1999.
Martine's character Tiffany Mitchell became an instant fan favourite on the square back in the nineties, especially for her friendship with Bianca.
However her turbulent relationship with Grant Mitchell came to a head when she decided against framing him for pushing her down the stairs – but Grant had other ideas.
After being released from prison, he took their daughter Courtney and as he was leaving, Tiffany chased after them.
In her desperation however, she ran across the road and was instantly killed when she was hit by Frank Butcher's car on New Year's Eve.
Tiffany has never been forgotten since that tragic day, with best friend Bianca naming her daughter after her in 2004.
Charlie Slater
Another iconic EastEnders family are none other than The Slaters, who arrived on the soap in 2000.
Slater patriarch Charlie was a regular for more than a decade, with the cab driver becoming involved in huge storylines that saw many revelations come to the surface.
However after making brief appearances in 2013 and 2016, fans were left sobbing when Charlie tragically died from a heart attack in the arms of daughter Kat Slater in 2018.
Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell
EastEnders has had its fair share of wedding heartbreak, but Ronnie Mitchell's wedding to Jack Branning was one of its most devastating.
After tying the knot in a beautiful celebration, husband Jack took their children upstairs to the hotel room and read them a story.
Sisters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell continued the celebrations by drinking champagne but later decided to take a quick swim in the pool.
Their fun then turned to tragedy after Roxy jumped in and began to drown.
When Ronnie tried to save her, she also began to struggle in the water and sadly died alongside her sibling.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
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