EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders star Diane Parish has teased the next stage of her character Denise Fox’s blood cancer storyline after a devastating setback. Denise is currently receiving intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia that is making her increasingly weak.
Her greatest chance of survival is a stem cell transplant, and there was renewed hope of this when her half-brother Darnell eventually agreed to be tested – but this week he broke the news that he isn’t a close enough match.
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Speaking exclusively to us at Inside Soap, Walford icon Diane shared that in the coming weeks, it will prove difficult for Denise to stay positive about her prognosis.
“The setback with Darnell not being a close enough match has taken its toll on her,” she said. “Denise is becoming increasingly aware of how uncertain her situation is and is starting to question whether the match she needs will ever come.
“Denise understands all too well the reality of this, that for people of Afro-Caribbean heritage there are fewer registered donors and therefore a smaller pool of potential matches. It is going to become harder for her to remain hopeful.”
This week, Denise said she was considering stopping her treatment, to the horror of her stepdaughter Amy, though she later got advice from Ash and eventually decided to continue chemotherapy.
Last month, Diane won the award for Soap Superstar at this year’s Inside Soap Awards, with readers nominating her for her portrayal of Denise over the last 20 years and particularly for this current storyline.
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“It has been incredibly moving,” she remarked. “Whether people have experienced this themselves or lost someone to it, or are currently supporting a loved one through it, many have told us they feel seen.
“That is something I’m determined to continue honouring in the way we tell this story. We’re months into this, and it would be unrealistic to suddenly skip ahead and say Denise is all better – we have a responsibility to do justice to the reality of the condition, not just for the show but for the people living with it every day.”
To read our full exclusive chat with Diane about her award win and playing Denise over the last two decades, pick up the latest issue of Inside Soap – available to buy from Tuesday 6 October.
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.