EastEnders actress Tameka Empson has said her character Kim Fox has had a "reality check" after her sister's cancer diagnosis, adding: "There are moments where she wants to cry and break down."
Empson, 49, plays the sister of Denise Fox (Diane Parish), who was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia as part of a storyline developed with national charity Blood Cancer UK. Kim, a fan-favourite character known for her vibrant personality and social media influencer alter-ego "The Kimfluencer", first appeared on Albert Square in 2009.
Character 'going through a change'
In an interview with the Press Association, the actress and comedian said her character was "going through a change" as she was faced with her sister's mortality.
Empson said: "I think she's surprising herself, because Denise is her world.
"I think she's going through a change. She will always be fun, she will always have the bubble and the laughs – but this is life.
"I think that she's surviving. She's trying to organise everybody and so far, so good."
"When something like cancer hits a person, it's not just the person; it's the family," she added.
Wedding plans and new family members
Empson said her character was "doing her best" as she does not want to let her sister down, and added: "It's definitely a reality check for Kim.
"I think Kim has always got away with being silly and not having much responsibility. Now that the cancer is affecting Denise, it is now down to her to be the matriarch, to help make sure that all the kids are organised and to do what (Denise) would have done."
Amid her ongoing family struggles, Kim has been planning her wedding to Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson), which is due to take place next month – on the same day Max Branning (Jake Wood) ties the knot with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins). Viewers saw Kim and Howie debate delaying her nuptials, but ultimately kept their original September date in the hope that Denise could attend.
Empson said: "I think she's trying to please everybody. There's a little bit of Kim that's a people pleaser – and she wants everybody to be there.
"I think the guilt of not having her sister there would really get to her."
Hinting at the upcoming ceremony, which is due to air next month, Empson added: "Kim being Kim, she's found a way that's very different to have (Denise) involved. Because I don't think she could have done it without her."
Support and new arrivals
Empson also praised the support of her on-screen fiance, saying he was "secretly being supportive to her and being strong for her".
She added: "There are moments where she wants to cry and break down, and he's there as her backup.
"He really is her number one supporter. I think she realises it now more than ever."
Empson went on to praise the addition of the two new members of the Fox family – Denise Fox's half-brother Darnell Larson Jr (Christopher Colquhoun) and his daughter Grace (Krysstina Frempong) – who will arrive in Walford in the coming weeks.
She said: "It's good news because Kim was very shocked that she wasn't the one to help Denise in the way she thought she could.
"I don't think that she has an opinion so much about Darnell, because there's so much going on.
"The fact that she's got somebody there who could possibly help her – that's what she's enjoying right now. It's a tick for her, a little win."
EastEnders is available on BBC iPlayer.
