EastEnders actress Danielle Harold gives tribute to Thetford mum with terminal brain tumour and dedicates award to Brain Tumour Research charity
An EastEnders actress gave her friend, who is a brain tumour patient, a personal tribute and dedicated her Soap Award to charity at a popular awards ceremony.
EastEnders actress Danielle Harold, name-checked lifelong fan of the popular soap, Kylie Weatherby, from Thetford, and blew her kisses from the award stage after forming a close bond with her in March.
Kylie was diagnosed with a GBM – the same highly aggressive tumour as Danielle’s character Lola Pearce – whilst pregnant with twins in May 2021.
Danielle also dedicated her British Soap Award to Brain Tumour Research, and thanked its supporters for working with her after she won Best Leading Performer at the awards ceremony in Manchester on Saturday, which aired on ITV last night.
She concluded her acceptance speech by thanking the audience, and, holding her award in the air, said: “Brain Tumour Research, you deserve this.”
Kylie underwent surgery two weeks after delivering twins Luca and Malena by caesarean section at 37 weeks, and went on to have six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
She is now undergoing further chemo for a second brain tumour, discovered seven months ago.
The 34-year-old, who visited the EastEnders set at Elstree Studios with Brain Tumour Research PR team members Laura Smith and Sue Castle-Smith, said: “Meeting Danielle was one of the happiest days of my life and our friendship means the world to me.
“I was so proud watching her accept the award last night and didn’t expect her to name me or Brain Tumour Research, but it’s lovely that she did – it brought tears to my eyes.
“Danielle truly deserved to win the award. She’s done amazingly well in her portrayal of Lola, and in helping to raise awareness of brain tumours. A big thank you to her and Brain Tumour Research for everything they’ve done.”
Accepting the award, which came just a week after Lola’s on-screen death, which left fans heartbroken, Danielle said: “This isn’t for me, this is definitely for every single person that’s worked with me along the way, that’s been directly affected by brain tumours.
“People who are suffering from brain tumours, their time is so precious to them and even more to me.”
Brain Tumour Research, founded by Padbury-based chief executive Sue Farrington Smith MBE, worked with EastEnders – which also won Best British Soap – to ensure its brain tumour storyline was portrayed as realistically and sensitively as possible.
Sue Castle-Smith, head of PR and communications for Brain Tumour Research, who has worked with the BBC on the storyline since last summer, said: “Huge congratulations to Danielle and everyone at EastEnders for their sensitive portrayal of this harrowing story.
“As the leading voice of the brain tumour community, we were pleased to help shape this important narrative. It has been a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of this devastating disease.
“Lola’s story is sadly a reality for too many people. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. We’re determined to change this.
