'I'M FINDING MYSELF AT THE MOMENT'

EASTENDERS ACTRESS DANIELLE HAROLD ADMITS LEAVING THE SOAP WAS "A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM" BUT SHE'S EXCITED FOR WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

- MITYA UNDERWOOD 

As Danielle Harold arrives at the studio for her fabulous OK! photoshoot, she’s marking the end of an era after spending more than a third of her life on the set of EastEnders.

For the last year, the London-born star threw all she had into the emotional conclusion of the storyline which saw her character Lola Pearce-Brown diagnosed with and decimated by a devastating brain tumour.

We meet just days before the National Television Awards, and having been nominated for Serial Drama Performance, Danielle beams as she tells us how – win or lose – this public honour means so much to her.

“I was over the moon when I heard I’d been nominated for an NTA,” she says. “Some incredible people have won this award, so to think I could be joining them is an absolute dream come true. I’m so excited to see what happens on the night. I’ll be super emotional if I win – I’m very connected to the storyline and have met so many people on the journey who are affected. It’ll be amazing to think I’m doing them proud.”

Now, after departing the soap, Danielle, 31, has her sights set on great things – but admits she’s also feeling a little apprehensive about what the future holds.

“When you’re working so hard, time just seems to fly by and stand still at the same time, you’re in a bubble,” she tells us. “It’s daunting, but exciting too. It was such a draining and emotional story and I was so physically and mentally exhausted by the end, so when it stopped it was a bit of a shock to the system.