EastEnders casts UK comedian for mystery role that’s not good for Denise
Denise Fox (Diane Parish) is one of the toughest matriarchs EastEnders has ever seen, but she’s currently facing an enemy unlike any other: acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
She’d been feeling unwell previously, but had put off checking her symptoms with the GP.
After the bravery shown by Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), in the face of her battle with breast cancer though, Denise came to the realisation that checking up on her symptoms needed to be a priority and after admitting that she’d felt ‘knackered’ recently, determined to make an appointment with her GP for a check-up.
The tests revealed that Denise was suffering from AML, a fast-growing and aggressive type of blood cancer, and that treatment needed to begin immediately if she was to have a fighting chance of defeating the illness.
Mere hours after receiving her diagnosis, though, Denise’s grandson, Jordan (Jahsaiah Williams), was knocked down by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), leaving her daughter, Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams), absolutely broken and in dire need of her mum’s support.
With Denise clearly unable to face up to the reality of her diagnosis, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) pleaded with her to head to the hospital and begin the chemotherapy she so desperately needed, but she stood firm – she’d undergo treatment when she decided to, and not a moment before, establishing a visible crack in the foundation of their relationship.
Denise was discharged this week, though not without a violent gut punch: her cancer hasn’t responded to the treatment as well as the doctors had hoped and she’d need more.
The one light Denise found while suffering the brutal treatment was a fellow patient on the same ward: Teyana (Denise Pitter).
As Denise struggled to remain positive in the face of the Fox-Truemans welcome home party, knowing that she’d need even more painful and debilitating treatment, exchanging voice notes with Teyana provided a welcome distraction.
Incredibly fragile, physically and mentally, Denise was left in a state of sheer disbelief when she headed back to the hospital to deliver some balm to Teyana and learned that she’d taken a bad turn overnight and sadly passed away.
The revelation that Jordan’s murderous dad, Gray Atkins’ (Toby-Alexander Smith) nan, Sheila Atkins (Sheila Ruskin) had surfaced in Walford and become a part of his life further infuriated her.
Following a confrontation with Sheila, Denise removed her head wrap in her bedroom and when Jack unexpectedly entered, seeing her hair loss for the first time, she angrily ordered him out.
Next week sees Denise and Jack remain miles apart, as both struggle to deal with their emotions in the face of her cancer battle.
While Jack is devastated to be placed on compassionate leave, with newcomer DC Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) being handed a number of his cases, Denise is still unable to be vulnerable, and the two remain closed off from one another.
It’s the unlikely interference of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) that pushes Jack to continue to try and break through to Denise.
After she shares her heartbreak over the death of Teyana, Jack finds himself choked with emotion and unable to reciprocate Denise’s openness.
Retiring to the Vic, pictures show Jack in the company of a mystery blonde, Rita, whose hand ends up on his knee.
Rita is played by comedian and podcaster, Amy Matthews, who’s previously written for Have I Got News for You and appeared in sitcom Scot Squad, and revealed her role via Instagram with a carousel of promotional images.
With Denise fighting for her life, will Rita prove to be yet another obstacle on her road to reclaiming her life?
Our money’s on the Walford Warrior.
