Very EMOTIONAL News!!! EastEnders airs special Denise episode and emotional return in iPlayer release

EastEnders has aired a special episode surrounding Denise Fox’s blood cancer, as she finally makes the brave decision to start treatment – with one character making their return to the soap. Denise has hidden her diagnosis from most of her family, but this week she was left with no choice but to tell her sister Kim and her daughter Chelsea the truth in the pub.

In today’s episode, Denise was supported by Jack as she finally phoned the hospital about starting her life-saving treatment. Meanwhile, Kim reeled from the unexpected news, and Chelsea phoned her sister Libby to tell her about their mum’s illness.

Denise and Jack had an honest chat with Chelsea, Amy, Ricky and Raymond about the diagnosis, and told them that tomorrow she would be admitted to hospital for a month to undergo intensive chemotherapy.

She organised her loved ones and told them that everyone would need to step up while she is in hospital, even putting together a rota of chores for the kids to complete.

That evening, Denise headed over to see Kim, and she opened up to her sister about how she’s really feeling about her ordeal.

Denise feared what the treatment would do to her and how it would affect her relationship with Jack and her children. She even considered not having treatment at all and dying at home, but she realised she needed to fight to stay alive – so in emotional scenes, Denise allowed Kim to remove her weave, leaving her natural hair for chemotherapy.

Meanwhile, struggling Jack had his own support system around him, with Max, Alfie, Howie, Callum and Phil coming over to watch the football and take his mind off things.

The next morning, Denise prepared to leave for the hospital, keen not to make a fuss. Chelsea gave her some much-needed encouragement, assuring her mum she would be fine caring for Jordan without her help.

Denise got a surprise before she left, with her daughter Libby arriving back in Walford to see her mum after hearing the sad news. Libby promised to come to the hospital the next day and said she’ll be around for as long as Denise needs her.

Accompanied by Jack, Denise then headed to the hospital. She started treatment immediately, and the doctor warned that the next four weeks were going to be difficult as the harsh and relentless chemotherapy would effectively leave her with no immune system. Denise was told that infection could occur, and some patients even end up in intensive care.

With Jack by her side, Denise began receiving her first round of chemotherapy. But how will she cope over the coming weeks?