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EastEnders airs heartbreaking moment for Denise Fox in blood cancer journey in early BBC iPlayer release

Spoiler warning for Monday 28 September 2026.

Denise Fox looks startled in EastEnders

:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Published: Monday, 28 September 2026 at 6:30 am

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**Warning: Contains major spoilers for the episode airing on Monday 28 September, which is currently available on BBC iPlayer**

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EastEnders has aired a heartbreaking new moment in the story surrounding Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and her blood cancer journey.

The BBC One soap has seen Denise receive various treatments for acute myeloid leukaemia after her diagnosis earlier this year, with much of her hope now resting on getting a stem cell donor.

The search for a donor led to the reveal that Denise had a paternal half-brother she had never met, Darnell Larson Jr. (Christopher Colquhoun), whom she has now met, along with his daughter Grace (Krysstina Frempong).

Initially scared to take part in testing due to his wife having died as part of the NHS' historical infected blood scandal, persuasion from Grace last week saw Darnell decide to get tested.

In Monday's episode, as Denise rested at home, she was busy trying to play matchmaker with Denzel Fox-Danes (Jaden Ladgea) and her stepdaughter Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd).

Darnell, wearing a plastic blue apron, stands in a hospital in a scene from EastEnders

Christopher Colquhoun as Darnell Larson Jr in EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

However, she soon learned that Amy had a new love interest - unbeknownst to Denise, is Jack's sinister colleague Craig Ingram (played by Matthew James-Bailey), who is currently grooming the teenager.

During these personal matters, Denise and spouse Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) received a visit from Darnell, who was sad to reveal that the tests showed he was not a close enough match for Denise, leaving her shattered and trying to wrap her head around a further round of chemotherapy, which so far hasn't been as successful as desired. Denise also notes how the wait for another stem cell match will be longer for Black people.

In the aftermath, Jack ran into Denise's newly married sister Kim Fox-Danes (Tameka Empson) and Denise's daughter Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) and let slip the bad news.

Diane Parish as Denise Fox in a headscarf sat on a sofa looking up at Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell in EastEnders.

Diane Parish as Denise Fox with Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell in EastEnders. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

The ladies headed over to comfort a devastated Denise, who revealed her weariness with treatment but said she had to continue, and insisted that Kim go ahead with honeymoon plans as organised.

Later, Denise received a visit from Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who encouraged her to do what was right for her but also to seek treatment, wondering if his late mother Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) persisting might have bought her more time with her family.

Above all else, Phil - who is the father of Denise's youngest child, Raymond (Michael Jose Pomares Calixte) - encouraged Denise to open up to Jack.

Finally, as the episode concluded, Jack remained positive to Denise and affirmed that she would find another donor.

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However, when he left the room, Denise asked her AI aid on her phone, Iggy, about what happens to your body when you stop cancer treatment, indicating that Denise is considering choosing to not continue with treatment.

Is this really the end of Denise's efforts to stop her cancer progressing?

We have to wonder whether Darnell's daughter Grace could be a match for Denise, but the prospect has yet to be explored...

Later this week, Denise will continue to experience harsh symptoms, including faintness, all amidst turmoil with Amy, who viewers are aware is fearing losing another mother.

Will Denise get the help she needs, and could Dr Ash Panesar (Sakira Vel) provide a boost?

Read more:

Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Lewis Knight, smiling against a lime green background.

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the news and trends editor at Radio Times and leads our approach to news, reactive content, and serving audience demands and interests. An obsessive fan of television and film, Lewis is a Nicole Kidman fanatic with a side of passion for science-fiction, art-house cinema and the latest HBO drama. Lewis has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Film Studies. After working in advertising, Lewis worked at The Mirror for three years in community management and SEO, showbiz, film and television reporting.

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