Lexi has been on the show for several years now. (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders has had some heart-breaking storylines in its time, but few have been quite as emotional as the upcoming departure from the show of Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), a performance that has seen Danielle nominated for Best Leading Performer at the Soap Awards this year.
After her devastating brain tumour diagnosis was revealed, Lola’s family and friends have been given a chance to say goodbye to her this week before she ultimately leaves the show tomorrow.
In one of the saddest developments around the storyline, one of those Lola will be leaving behind is her daughter, Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown).
With Lola’s final scene coming up soon, many have been looking to learn more about the character of Lexi and the actress who plays her.
Here is what you need to know.
Who is Lexi Pearce in EastEnders?
Lola discovers she is pregnant with Lexi back in November 2011 but initially denies that Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) is the father. With the help of several residents of Albert Square, Lola gives birth to her daughter, and names her after an old friend, with the middle name Billie in honour of her grandfather, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick).
After Lola is arrested for assault, her social worker, Trish Barnes (Tessa Churchard), takes Lexi into care. Eventually, Lola tells Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) that Ben is Lexi’s father, meaning Phil agrees to help get Lexi back. In return, Lola agrees to let Lexi live with Phil and visit her three times a week.
Lexi has been involved in her mother’s heartbreaking final story line. (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Phil later wins custody of Lexi and is allowed to be her kinship foster carer. However, Lola is devastated to find out that her access to Lexi will not be increased.
Phil organises a christening for Lexi, and Lola agrees to Lexi being christened with the last name – Mitchell. Determined to stop Lola from being reunited with her daughter, Phil starts controlling Lola and Lexi’s relationship, eventually telling the court that Lola is an unfit mother.
Lola then snatches Lexi from Phil’s house but is ultimately found. Phil says he intends to help reunite Lexi and Lola, and Lola is then given increased access.
Lola and Lexi moved from London to Newcastle, but in April 2019, Lexi returned to Walford with Lola and Ben. Ben wanted to be a part of Lexi’s life as she grew up. They share a close bond, and after Ben loses his hearing in a boating accident, Lexi teaches him some sign language.
When Ben is unable to hear her shouting, Lexi is accidentally knocked over by a car but soon recovers, and Ben ultimately receives an implant to restore his hearing.
After a seizure leads to Lola being given an MRI scan, Lola is ultimately given the news that she has an inoperable brain tumour and only has six months to live. She initially wants to go on without telling anyone but ultimately confesses the diagnosis to her family, with the support of her partner Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), in a heart-breaking scene that sees her say to Lexi, ‘I gave it everything I’ve got; I promise I tried.’
After Lola makes an emotional speech at a fundraiser for charity, Lexi turns to her friend and says, ‘that’s my mum’.
Who plays Lexi Pearce in EastEnders?
When first on the show between 2012 and 2015, Lexi Pearce was portrayed by Dotti-Beau Cotterill.
However, since her return to Watford in 2019, Isabella Brown has played Lexi.
Lexi is her debut role, having not been credited in any other TV show or film outside of the soap.
In a post from February this year, Danielle Harold paid tribute to her onstage daughter, saying that she ‘Couldn’t of asked for a better mini me’ and that she ‘makes me so proud everyday’.
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As Lola Pearce’s time on EastEnders comes to an end, learn more about her daughter, Lexi.
