EastEnders fans 'not prepared' as Lola unexpectedly returns to our screens

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EastEnders fans were surprised by the unexpected Lola scene in last night's episode.

Lola Pearce goes to seaside in EastEnders
EastEnders fans were in tears over a Lola scene last night. (Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders fans were caught off guard last night as Lola Pearce-Brown was seen on our screens again as her family geared up for her funeral. 

Viewers were left heartbroken last month when the young mum passed away from a terminal brain tumour, and now the day of her funeral is here, with the episode airing on BBC One tonight, Tuesday, June 27. 

But it was last night's episode (Monday, June 26) that left fans upset after Billy and Jay struggled in the run-up to Lola's send-off. 

Billy was clearly struggling with the whole ordeal, doing everything he could to make sure his granddaughter gets the send-off she deserves. 

Billy Mitchell looks angry as a grieving Jay Brown sits on the sofa.

Billy has been struggling since Lola's death and took his grief out on Jay.  (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

But as he kept himself busy with jobs to do for the funeral, it soon became clear that he was trying to avoid going into the funeral parlour to see Lola in her coffin and say his final goodbyes.

After lashing out at his family, telling them they'd all let Lola down at some point in their lives, grieving Billy left Honey and Jay shaken.

Jay headed to The Vic to drown his sorrows, but Honey could see Billy was struggling and soon tracked him down and talked him around.

Eventually, Billy went to see Lola in her coffin, on which her friends and family had written messages before the funeral. Poor Billy eventually found the courage to write his own message, which read "Sorry I wasn't good enough, love Pops xx"

Lola lies in her coffin as Billy visits her before the funeral in EastEnders

(Image credit: BBC)

But it wasn't just the heartbreaking note that Billy wrote on the coffin that got fans talking, it was the fact Lola's coffin was open and she could be seen lying inside.

Viewers took to social media and shared their surprise at seeing Lola in the soap again...

Lola's final farewell is set to be a celebration of her life, something that she planned before she passed away. 

Jay Brown, Ben Mitchell, Phil Mitchell and Callum Highway carrying Lola's white coffin.

Lola\s family and friends say their final goodbyes tonight.  (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

The young mum also told her family she didn't want anyone to wear black to the funeral, but as everyone is set to gather in their bright clothes in tonight's episode, Lola's struggling grandfather Billy has disappeared and is nowhere to be seen.

Will anyone manage to track him down before he misses the funeral entirely?

EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm on BBC One — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on BBC iPlayer now. 

Claire Crick
Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off. 

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.