EastEnders' Billy star relates to real-life loss of Lola after 'tough' filming
EastEnders star Perry Fenwick has opened about on filming "tough" scenes for Lola’s funeral, which will air tonight.
The actor, who plays Billy Mitchell in the BBC soap, said he could relate to the loss his character was feeling as he also felt it in real life.
Viewers will watch the family finally lay Lola to rest after she tragically died from a devastating brain tumour.
Talking about the heartbreaking scenes, Perry – who plays Lola’s grandad – told The Mirror: “In the show Billy is losing Lola, he’s lost Lola.
“And in reality Perry is losing Danielle [Harold, who plays Lola] and so there’s always been that thing all the way as we’re getting to the end.
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“It’s been a long storyline but I feel good for that. It played out in real time.”
Perry and Danielle as Billy and granddaughter Lola in EastEnders (BBC)Speaking at the TRIC Awards, which take place in London tonight, the 62-year-old said he thought the Lola storyline had really resonated with viewers because they had taken their time on it.
He explained: “I think viewers invest in it more if they’re long-term characters that they really care about. You wouldn’t be so upset if it was someone who had only been in the show six months... you have to earn your spurs on these shows.
“It was nice for us, we had this opportunity to tell the story, but also show how we all reacted.
“It’s been a hell of a year for the family. It’s been amazing to do. Kind of glad it’s done now in a way. I can have a nice little break now and go on holiday or whatever."
Perry and Danielle at tonight's TRIC Awards in London (REX/Shutterstock)
Perry predicts Danielle will go on to do amazing things (Mike Marsland/WireImage)Praising his 31-year-old co-star Danielle, he added: “It was just a wonderful opportunity for Dani to leave on a note where she’s knocked it out the park.
“If that girl doesn’t go on and do amazing things, then I give up this game. It would be a travesty if that doesn’t happen.”
Perry also praised EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw for breathing new life into the show and said he had never enjoyed working there so much.
“The reaction from the public has been amazing – we had a few years doing the show where people would stop you in the street and tell you how rubbish you were, which is not very nice.
“But Chris has changed all that. Everyone on set is praising each other. You’ve got some good characters coming back, some great new characters coming in. Everyone is a cog in the show.”
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On his own character’s storylines he said Billy getting back with Honey was the “right thing to do” and he couldn’t wait for what was next for them.
“Now viewers have seen Emma [Barton, who plays Honey] has got a bit of balls about her,” he said.
“Billy and Honey getting back together was the right thing to do.They are bang in love and they would do anything for their kids and they are like 'If you mess with my family, I’ll show you.'”
*EastEnders airs on at 7.30pm BBC and BBC iPlayer
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