EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders aired tragic scenes tonight for Denise Fox and husband Jack Branning as the couple had a heartbreaking conversation in hospital. Denise is now undergoing her second round of treatment after being diagnosed with blood cancer in late May.
During Denise’s first hospital stint she became good friends with fellow patient Teyana, who tragically passed away a few weeks ago. Teyana’s passing has caused Denise to think about her own mortality and last night Jack found her making a will.
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Meanwhile Jack has been feeling the strain since his wife’s diagnosis and has been put on compassionate leave at work with colleagues Craig and Rita taking over one of his cases.
On tonight’s episode (Tuesday, July 21) Jack was drowning his sorrows at home as Craig (played by former Hollyoaks star Matthew James-Bailey) called round. Craig offered to help Jack in any way he could but Jack dismissed him.
Phil then came to leave Raymond home and Jack told him about being put on leave from work. When Jack expressed what a hard time he was having, Phil told him to pull himself together and be there for Denise who needed him.
Jack then went to visit Denise at the hospital and found her talking with hospital worker Ralph. As Ralph left, he told Denise he would get her “the details” for Teyana when he had them.
When Jack asked what he meant, Denise shared that Teyana had passed away a few days ago, not wanting to talk about it, she then sent Jack to get her a tea.
Later Jack asked Denise why she wouldn’t tell him about Teyana’s death. Denise said she kept it from him because Teyana was having the same treatment as her and he wouldn’t be able to handle knowing she didn’t make it.
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When Jack told his wife she was “cut from a different cloth,” Denise said his words were trying to convince him and not her that she’d be okay. She explained that what helped her was acknowledging that her cancer might not be something she could beat, something which Jack is unable to do.
The episode ended with Denise telling Jack she wasn’t sure she’d be able to be strong enough for the both of them right now as he left the hospital.
Will the couple be able to find a way to give each other the support they need?
For free and confidential support and information on blood cancer and life after a diagnosis, contact Blood Cancer UK online, by phone on 0808 2080 888 or via email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.