![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305078802-e35e.jpg\")
\n\t\tJack Branning starts to spiral (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tJack Branning starts to spiral (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
Jack Branning (Scott Maslen<\/a>) reaches breaking point in EastEnders next week as another difficult week takes its toll, leading him to walk out on wife Denise Fox<\/a> (Diane Parish).<\/p>\n The couple have been struggling ever since Denise\u2019s cancer diagnosis, and things only become more complicated in the coming episodes as they both deal with more heartbreak.<\/p>\n Denise continues to find it difficult to open up to Jack, despite everything they\u2019ve been through together. While she\u2019s trying to process her own emotions, Jack is also hit with more bad news when he\u2019s told to take compassionate leave from work.<\/p>\n To make matters worse, he\u2019s informed that his colleague Craig will be taking over his current police case while he\u2019s away, leaving Jack feeling even more frustrated as life continues to spiral out of his control.<\/p>\n \t\t As the pressure builds, Phil Mitchell<\/a> (Steve McFadden<\/a>) steps in with some much-needed advice, encouraging Jack as he tries to support Denise while dealing with his own emotions.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Denise heads back to the hospital, where she\u2019s given food for thought. After everything she\u2019s been keeping bottled up, she finally opens up about the death of her friend.<\/a><\/p>\n However, instead of bringing the couple closer together, the conversation exposes just how much Jack has been holding back himself.<\/p>\n Unable to properly express how he\u2019s feeling, Jack reaches his limit and walks out, leaving Denise devastated. Thankfully, it\u2019s not the end of the road for the couple.<\/p>\n Later in the week, Denise and Jack finally have the honest conversation they\u2019ve both needed, opening up to one another and managing to get their relationship back on track.<\/p>\n But their relief is short-lived.<\/p>\n Just as things begin looking more positive, Jack receives a call from the police about Joel\u2019s attack, bringing another worrying development to his door.<\/p>\n \t\t The latest drama comes after an emotional few days for the Branning and Fox families.<\/p>\n This week, Denise returned home from the hospital while keeping a heartbreaking secret from those closest to her after learning her chemotherapy hadn\u2019t been as successful as doctors had hoped.<\/p>\n Despite trying to settle back into family life, she found herself struggling, with Jack growing jealous after spotting her talking to Ravi Gulati<\/a> (Aaron Thiara<\/a>).<\/p>\n Things then went from bad to worse when Denise returned to the hospital and discovered that a close friend had died.<\/p>\n Back on Albert Square, Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu) did her best to support her mum, but Denise faced another difficult shock when she came face-to-face with Sheila, the great-grandmother of Chelsea Fox<\/a>\u2019s son Jordan and grandmother of imprisoned killer Gray Atkins<\/a> (Toby-Alexander Smith).<\/p>\n \t\t Although Denise eventually heard Sheila out after the pair bonded over their experiences with cancer, she later made it clear she wanted her to stay away from the family, fearing she still had contact with Gray.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Denise also finally admitted to Jack that her chemotherapy treatment wasn\u2019t working as doctors had hoped, but insisted he keep the news from the rest of the family as she focused on organising Libby\u2019s leaving party.<\/p>\n With emotions still running high, next week proves the road ahead won\u2019t be an easy one for Denise and Jack as they try to navigate yet another setback together.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305078804-22a1.jpg\")
\n\t\tJack does his best to support Denise (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"DCI](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305078795-379b.jpg\")
\n\t\tCraig will be played by former Hollyoaks star Matthew James-Bailey (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Denise](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784366055_55_SEI_304233226-3fd5.jpg\")
\n\t\tDenise returned home this week (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Things get even worse for Denise in EastEnders with sad exit confirmed<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Watching Denise\u2019s EastEnders story is raw and unbearable \u2013 but it\u2019s worth it<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: EastEnders casts UK comedian for mystery role that\u2019s not good for Denise<\/a><\/p>\n