The arrival of the Knight family shakes the Square (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders lines up something of a game-changing episode tonight (Thursday June 1), with big changes afoot as the residents of Walford mourn the loss of Lola Pearce-Brown (Danielle Harold).
Lola, who was diagnosed last year with a terminal brain tumour, tragically died on Wednesday, shortly after being told that there was nothing more doctors could do for her.
The hairdresser received a number of visitors during her final hours, with her loved ones gathering to say their goodbyes, before she drifted into lengthy periods of unconsciousness.
Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) were left heartbroken when they discovered that their beloved Lola had peacefully passed away, just as the sun rose on a new day.
The mood in the square on the day in question is sombre, with loved ones struggling to process the tragic passing, with pictures of the episode in question revealing that Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) breaks down in Honey’s (Emma Barton) arms.
Heartbreaking.
Billy breaks down in Honey’s arms as he struggles to process news of Lola’s death (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
But as the residents of the Square mourn Lola, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) receives the mother of all shocks when a new family rocks up in the Square with a pretty big revelation to make.
Enter the Knights.
Patriarch George (Colin Salmon) arrives with daughters Anna (Molly Rainford) and Gina (Francesca Henry) in tow, taking a good long look at the Vic, as he introduces himself to Linda as Elaine Peacock’s (Harriet Thorpe) new fella.
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Linda meets George Knight, Elaine’s new beau, and realises this was her mum’s plan all along (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
Linda, who did her landlady duties beautifully during Lola’s final hours, holding a lock-in at the Vic to discuss the tragedy, puts two and two together, realising that this was Elaine’s plan all along when she bought into the pub.
George, who is a championship boxer, makes it his mission to win Linda over, claiming that he’s not going to cause any trouble, but despite his claims there is trouble brewing, which Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) learns the hard way when he crosses paths with the newcomer.
George tries to make things right with Linda (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
Anna and Gina settle into their new home with chihuahua Tyson (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)
Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell), meanwhile, is smitten when he spots Anna and Gina.
The sisters wave over at him as they settle into their new environment, but they soon get on the wrong end of Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), who bites their head off when they bring chihuahua Tyson into the cafe.
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To make matters worse, the girls misjudge the mood at the Vic as they try to get the party started that evening, unaware of Lola’s passing.
A new era is upon us.
EastEnders airs these scenes on Tuesday June 1 at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Heartbreaking news travels around the Square, while Linda Carter makes the mother of all discoveries.
