If Cora and Lola leave, it will mean that nearly every original character (as opposed to recasts or reintroductions) brought in during the Kirkwood and Newman years would be gone. Les Coker came in 2012 as a recurring character. Tina Carter appeared about a month before Mick, etc, and I think that was during Newman's last month on the show. Tina had something to do Carl White from what I remember.

Outside of DTC, Santer and Harwood have the most number of character intros still around on EE.

Both Shona and Danielle need a decent storyline -What's the hold up?

The Kickwood and Oldman Conspiracy Theory

Lola was on screen pretty recently when Ben/Jay had that argument in the Vic about Ben trying to kiss him.

Working at Lidls with Bolly

I've just read that...wow! It is a bit surreal how only 4 Kirkwood/Newman characters remain and it's very possible Lola and Cora could go this year.

Makes you wonder what DTC would've done with Vanessa Gold (one of Bryan's better characters) if she was still around by the time he took over. He axed all Newman's remaining creations, bar Tina (Dexter's lasting about a year longer). But with the two remaining Kirkwood introductions they vary. Cora has clearly been given an important role in the Stan storyline but you wonder what will happen to her now that he is dead. Lola has been sidelined for months. Surely he could've found something productive for Vanessa, but I'm not sure given the theory.

Aside from his characters (a few of them have only started to take shape like Kush and Donna), Santer and Harwood characters have remained fairly prominent (not so much Jay though). There are no Kathleen Hutchinson characters understandably. Berridge characters like Alfie, Stacey and Jane remain fairly big. Kat, Mo and Patrick are the remaining Yorke characters. Then you have an assortment of characters since the 80s and 90s. Some bigger than others at the moment.

She seems to have been downgraded to extra status with Tracey, Winston and Marie.

It'd be a shame if Lola is being sidelined purely because she is Kirkwood's creation.

She's a great character, played by a wonderful actress. There is so much he could do with her...