Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu) is back on Albert Square as her mother Denise (Diane Parish) begins her battle with cancer. But when she involves herself in sister Chelsea's (Zaraah Abrahams) affairs, she may cause even more trouble for the Fox-Trueman family.
Libby's Return
Speaking on her big return, Belinda said: 'I am beyond thrilled to be back on the Square. Getting the Foxes back together has been such a joy, full of fun and nostalgia! It's been 20 years since I first joined, so coming back has been like returning home! Libby is coming home to support her family during a difficult time, and it's been so wonderful stepping back into her shoes and becoming a Fox again.'
Show boss Ben Wadey added: 'We're thrilled to welcome Belinda back as Libby Fox as we uncover another piece of the New Year's Day flashforward storyline. Libby returns at a particularly emotional time for the Fox-Trueman family, and it's clear that her family need her now more than ever.'
Family Crisis
The Fox-Truemans have faced two life-changing events: Denise's diagnosis with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and Chelsea's son Jordan (Jahsaiah Williams) being knocked down by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt). So far, Denise has refused to divulge her diagnosis, with only Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) knowing the truth. Despite doctors' pleas to begin treatment immediately, Denise has been refusing, feeling an intense need to support a quickly-crumbling Chelsea as she navigates the aftermath of Jordan's injuries. Even with stern warnings that delaying treatment could prove fatal, and Jack's terror that her reluctance will take her to an early grave, she remains steadfast.
Next Week's Dramas
Next week sees everything change. While Denise continues to claim she'll only get treatment on her own terms, Jack turns to Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). Together, they endeavour to convince her to go to hospital. When Phil attempts to talk to her, she angrily kicks him out. As the family rally to support Chelsea and Jordan, news of Kim Fox and Howie Danes (Tameka Empson and Delroy Hugh Atkinson) engagement emerges. While the family decide to celebrate later, Chelsea is acutely aware that Denise is distracted.
That evening, they take to the Vic, where Denise becomes overwhelmed and finally reveals her predicament to her family. Deciding to admit herself for treatment the following day, the Fox-Truemans are shell-shocked but gather themselves, promising to keep things running smoothly while she's in hospital. Chelsea summons Libby, and the two share an emotional family reunion with their mum, both pledging to be tested as bone-marrow donors.
Betrayal Brewing
After some initial friction between the sisters, Chelsea finds herself leaning on Libby, even admitting that Jordan's father, crazed serial killer Gray Atkins' (Toby-Alexander Smith) mother, Sheila (Sheila Ruskin), has been sending cheques to help raise her grandson, but she's yet to cash them. With Denise in hospital, Chelsea quickly burns out looking after Jordan and facing financial instability. She's shaken when Jordan asks to see Denise and Jack. Libby, looking to ease things for Chelsea, secretly contacts Sheila herself for help.
With Chelsea thus far rejecting any offer of help from Gray's side of the family, how will she react to Libby's bold move? With Denise in hospital, will she come out to find her two daughters at war?
