EastEnders' Lola collapses with seizure as tragic storyline begins

As the week began, Lola was busy preparing for Lexi's special event, buying lots of accessories for her and hoping that she would be forgiven for keeping her reunion with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) a secret. But as Lola presented the collection to Lexi, the youngster grinned cheekily, and Lola laughed as she realised that her daughter was simply winding her up!

Just as things seemed to be back on track, an accident led to Lexi's dress ripping - and when the pair went to ask Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) for help, they found Felix Baker (Matthew Morrison) instead. Felix was able to repair the dress, and Lola was overcome with joy to see Lexi all dressed up and ready for the pageant.

Amid the preparations, Lola was also hoping to bring Lexi's dad Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) closer to estranged husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay), but Ben was not in the most sociable of moods after being nagged by Lola not to be late, only to be informed by the police that his case against rapist Lewis Butler (Aidan O'Callaghan) had been dropped.

When Callum wondered whether he had forgotten about Lexi's big day, Ben snapped, and Callum felt like he should stay away. Lola, ever the optimist, wasn't going to take no for an answer after hearing how much Lexi missed Callum - and she persuaded him to attend after all.

As the family gathered to support Lexi, Lola told Lexi just how much she loved her - making what was to come all the more heartbreaking.

Ben was gearing up to tell Callum his bad news, only to be interrupted by Jay who was on Team Lexi duty, complete with sashes. Lola, meanwhile, stumbled and clutched her head in pain as she headed towards the toilets. Jay was concerned, but Lola assured him she was fine.

But as the group wondered where she was, the scene cut to Lola, who began to feel even more unwell as her hands started shaking and she fell to the floor. Alone and helpless, Lola suffered a seizure. Will Jay and the clan come to her aid?

And, as the coming episodes reveal the reality of her condition, how will Lola deal with her prognosis?

EastEnders is working closely with Brain Tumour Research and Macmillan Cancer Support on Lola's storyline, and you can find help and support by visiting the above websites.

Read more:

• When will Lola die in EastEnders? Danielle Harold's exit explained
• EastEnders' Lola Pearce comes to terms with diagnosis in heartbreaking scenes

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