Denise Fox (Diane Parish) heads home from the hospital in EastEnders soon, but immediately faces quite a few challenges. The beloved character has spent the past few weeks undergoing treatment for blood cancer. Denise has been on a hospital ward the entire time, which has meant she’s missed quite a lot of Walford-based drama.
Denise Returns to a Changed Family
In the duration she’s been away, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) has been trying to adapt to son Jordan’s new way of living. The young lad is currently in a wheelchair after being hit by a car that was being driven by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt). It’s an overwhelming time for Chelsea, and matters became even more complicated when Sheila – who is the nan of Jordan’s dad Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) – became a more prominent presence in their lives.
Next week, the Fox-Truemans get to work sorting the house out ahead of Denise’s return. As she arrives back, it becomes apparent that Denise is hiding a major development from them. She has been told that she hasn’t responded to the treatment as the doctors and nurses had hoped, which means they need to try again.
Denise Struggles with Devastating News
While keeping the secret, Denise struggles to settle back into family life. She then heads to the hospital, but discovers that her friend has died. Devastated, Denise is supported by Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu) as they go back home. Things go from bad to worse for Denise when she spots Jordan with Sheila. Curious, Denise then discovers that she’s Gray’s nan.
Denise insists that she needs to meet Sheila properly, so Chelsea organises a meeting between them. When Sheila arrives, Denise asks Chelsea and Libby to leave. Determined, Denise interrogates Sheila on her motives, but what will she say?
Denise Confides in Jack
Towards the end of the week, Denise finally tells Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) that the chemo isn’t working as hoped. She forbids Jack from telling the family, and instead puts her efforts into a leaving party for Libby. Will Libby depart without knowing the reality? The storyline continues to unfold as Denise battles her illness in secret while confronting the return of Gray’s nan.
