Denise vows to stay alive in powerful EastEnders scenes as treatment begins

Denise has commenced her treatment after being diagnosed with AML (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders spoilers follow for Tuesday’s (June 16) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.

Denise Fox (Diane Parish) has promised that she will be ‘around for a long time’ after her loved ones learned of her diagnosis with acute myeloid leukaemia.

The hairdresser, as viewers will recall, was left worried about her health after experiencing repeated bouts of tiredness and thus she decided to go to the doctors.

On the day of Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw) and Vicki Fowler’s (Alice Haig) wedding, she was summoned to the hospital for a bone marrow aspirate test and learned that she had AML, a particularly aggressive form of blood cancer that requires urgent treatment.

The news knocked Denise for six but, despite being told of the urgency of the situation, she held off on beginning treatment after grandson Jordan was knocked down by a car, wanting to be there for Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams) in her hour of need.

But after Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) had Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) urge her to begin treatment at once, Denise broke down in the Vic earlier this week and confided in her loved ones, revealing her diagnosis.

Denise promised Raymond that she isn’t going anywhere (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

In emotional scenes on Tuesday, Denise – with some help from Jack – explained to the kids that she would be in hospital for a month once treatment got underway, revealing that she’s made a rota for them to all help out around in the house in her absence, urging them to step up.

Raymond asked if she was ‘going to die’ and Denise was quick to stop his worries, telling him that she will be around for a long time.

Kim Fox (Tameka Empson), meanwhile, vowed to support D in whatever way she can, revealing that – if the worst happens – she will step up and be a mum to her kids.

Denise was delighted to see Libby back in the Square (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

In emotional scenes, Kim helped Denise remove her weave prior to heading to the hospital. The following morning, Denise was delighted to see Libby (Belinda Owusu), who had arrived back in Walford as soon as she learned of her mum’s diagnosis.

Later, Denise headed to the hospital to commence her treatment, with her consultant explaining the aggressive nature of the chemotherapy, which will give her the best chance of survival.

As the treatment began, Denise looked at a picture Raymond had drawn for her, showcasing the whole family. Jack was by her side – and it’s clear that’s where he intends to stay as this emotional chapter begins.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 

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