As fans of EastEnders will know, teen Lola Pearce is going to go into labour as her granddad Billy Mitchell is sprinting through Walford with the Olympic torch…

And in a segment that will air live as Perry Fenwick – who of course plays Billy – runs with the torch, we’ll see Lola having possibly the speediest labour in the history of childbirth, which of course in turn means that Danielle Harold has to play out the birth of Lola’s baby girl, live. And she’s “terrified” about it!

Speaking to Soaplife about the challenging scenes, Danielle said, “I’m terrified! I’d rather have a baby in real life than do this live!”

However, she added, “But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it is nice of them to trust me with it…

“We’ve already filmed the lead-up to the birth and I was knackered after screaming and crying and pretending to push all day.”

And of course, because this is a soapy birth, things won’t go well for Lola as finds herself going into labour while in Derek Branning’s car chatting to BFF Jay (Jamie Borthwick).

Danielle explained, “She’s sitting in Derek’s car chatting to Jay when her waters break.

“She runs off because she’s scared and doesn’t know what to do.

“She thinks the labour will last ages and goes to McKlunkeys to get some chicken. But she starts having strong contractions while she’s there.”

Of course, everyone wants to call an ambulance for Lola, but she refuses because she knows she’s out past her curfew.

Danielle said, “Lola’s broken her curfew and she’s worried the police and social services will come and take the baby from her.”

So Lola prepares to give birth to her baby – who she’ll name Lexi Billie – with Cora (Ann Mitchell) acting as midwife while Billy races to be by his granddaughter’s side for the birth.

However, it seems Lola really isn’t prepared for the hard work it takes to look after a baby, but Danielle reckons her character will overcome and turn out to be good mum to little Lexi.

She said, “All through the pregnancy she’s been in denial and tried to forget she’s having a baby.

“But I think she’ll be a really good mum. She’s never had a mum herself and she’ll be there for Lexi, the name she gives her daughter – Lexi Billie.”

And when asked, “How does she feel when Lexi is born?” Danielle replied, “Lola’s terrified to pick her up because she looks so small and fragile.

“She does get a little bit, ‘I can’t do this. I don’t know what to do…’ and makes Billy do everything…

“But then he says, ‘You’re doing it on your own now’ and that’s when she steps up to the challenge.”

Finally, of who Lola will rely on as she comes to terms with motherhood, Danielle said, “Billy and Jay. Billy’s the only person who has stuck around for her and she loves him to bits. They form a little family.

“Billy’s now a great-grandfather and I really take the mickey out of Perry. I bought him a blow-up Zimmer frame for his birthday!”

Don’t miss all that drama on Monday, 23rd July.