Denise Fox (Diane Parish) faces fresh turmoil in EastEnders next week as her family tries to shield her from the news that Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) is missing.
At first, Denise is unaware of the chaos because her relatives are attempting to protect her. However, she soon discovers why Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) is so stressed.
Amy's Disappearance
At the start of the week, Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) finds Jack and Max Branning (Jake Wood) and reveals he spotted Amy preparing to leave Walford with Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey). Max and Jack race across town but are too late to stop the pair speeding away.
Terrified for his daughter, Jack launches a search with police assistance and later speaks to his family about keeping the truth from Denise. As Denise begins to suspect something is wrong, Jack and Max break into Craig's flat.
Denise Learns the Truth
Back home, it is Denise's brother Darnell (Christopher Colquhoun) who ends up telling her that Amy is missing. Forced to come clean, Jack tells Denise everything.
Later, Ash Panesar (Sakira Vel) visits Denise, and it becomes clear the stress over Amy is impacting her health. Towards the end of the week, an unexpected arrival catches Jack's attention, raising hope that Amy might be found.
Expert Advice on Storyline
Lynn Perry, Barnardo's Chief Executive, commented on the storyline: 'We welcomed the opportunity to provide expert advice on this storyline – which is a powerful reminder that there is no stereotypical victim or perpetrator of grooming. Young people from all walks of life can be targeted and fall victim to controlling behaviour – and many are often unaware that they are being groomed.'
'We hope this important storyline can highlight how subtle the signs of grooming can be and how it builds over time. To any viewers who recognise themselves in this story – who may be currently experiencing abuse or might have in the past – we hope this storyline shows you that the abuse was not your fault and we encourage you to seek support.'
'We appreciate the writing team's professional curiosity and determination to get this story right.'
