Lola Pearce will marry Jay Brown at Christmas in EastEnders

Lola Pearce will marry Jay Brown at Christmas in ‘EastEnders’.

This year’s festive edition will see the hairdresser (Danielle Harold) - who is mother to 10-year-old daughter Lexi (Isabella Brown) with Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) - tie the knot with the funeral director (Jamie Borthwick) after she was given the tragic news the operation to remove her brain tumour was not successful.

A source told the Sun newspaper’s TVBiz column: “It’s the big seasonal plotline and there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

“EastEnders fans will be rooting for Lola to be happy after the traumatic news that she is dying of a brain tumour. The highly-charged scenes will be a big hit.”

The news of Lola’s departure was first revealed in June as bosses outlined their intention to kill her off with “grace and care” as they consulted brain tumour charities to make sure the storyline is respectful and accurate to those going through the horrific ordeal, which was partly inspired The Wanted star Tom Parker, who lost his battle with the disease earlier this year, aged 33, and was survived by his wife Kelsey, 30, and their two children, Aurelia, three, and Bodhi, two.

The insider also detailed that the pair - whose relationship has been on and off again on the BBC One soap - are getting cozy “in real life” and not just on Albert Square.

They shared: “In real life Danielle and Jamie have been getting very, very close.

“Talk of the duo has been rife on set. Let’s just say they won’t have to stretch themselves when filming the romantic scenes together.”

Danielle - whose on-screen mother is set to be played by Patsy Kensit - “can’t wait” to explore other projects after bringing Lola to life for ten years.

The 30-year-old actress -who left the soap in 2015 after joining in 2011 before returning in 2019 - said: "I want to work on other things and play other characters. I can't wait to get out there and see what's possible. I'd love to do a drama — something with a beginning, middle and an end to the story.”