EastEnders has confirmed the heartbreaking death of Denise Fox (Diane Parish) following her battle with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The fierce matriarch of the Fox-Trueman clan, who has faced numerous horrors during her time in Walford, was diagnosed earlier this year after experiencing chronic fatigue and other unusual symptoms. Spurred on by Sam Mitchell's bravery in facing her own health battle, Denise went to the doctors, but the news rocked her to her core.
Denise's Secret Struggle
Initially, Denise revealed her diagnosis only to Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) and buried her head in the sand, focusing on her daughter Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams), whose son Jordan Fox (Jahsaiah Williams) had been knocked down by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt). Despite doctors' pleas that urgent treatment was necessary, Denise refused to start treatment immediately. Even her terrified partner, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), couldn't tear her from Chelsea's side, as he begged her to head to the hospital.
Eventually, Denise faced the seriousness of her predicament, told her family, and planned to go to hospital for a month of isolation. Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu) returned to be by her mum's side and was tested as a potential bone-marrow donor, alongside the rest of the family.
Sheila Atkins' Sinister Presence
While Denise was away, Sheila Atkins (Sheila Ruskin), the grandmother of Jordan's father – crazed serial killer Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) – appeared. Her generous cash donations bypassed the concerns of Chelsea, Kim Fox and Howie Danes (Tameka Empson and Delroy Hugh Atkinson), allowing her access to Jordan. Despite her protestations, Sheila is still in touch with Gray.
Denise has been kept in the dark about Sheila, but she has a secret of her own: her treatment hadn't been as successful as hoped, and she would have to undergo another round.
The Tragic Turn
After struggling to adjust to being home, Denise visited the hospital and received the deeply upsetting news that a friend she had made there had passed away. Heading home distressed, she was further troubled to see Sheila with Jordan. Libby was forced to explain the truth. Demanding a conversation, Denise banished Chelsea and Libby and interrogated Sheila.
Later in the week, Denise admitted to Jack that the treatment didn't work, but she forbade him from telling anybody, determined to focus on Libby's going-away party. As Denise's battle with cancer raged on, she eventually succumbed to the disease, leaving her family heartbroken. The question remains: will her absence allow Sheila to sink her claws further into Chelsea and Jordan?
