Is Denise leaving EastEnders? Everything you need to know as Denise battles blood cancer

Denise's world has been turned upside down...
Claire Crick
By Claire Crick

After complaining of feeling tired for weeks in EastEnders, Denise finally went for a blood test. Sadly, however, her tiredness wasn’t down to her work\life balance as she thought, and it was revealed that she instead had an aggressive form of blood cancer called acute myeloid leukaemia.

But as Denise struggles to get her head around her devastating diagnosis, could this be leading to an exit for the Walford favourite?

Denise asleep in the salon
Denise fell asleep at work (Credit: BBC)

Denise faces the fight of her life in EastEnders

Earlier this year, Denise spoke to Sam and explained that she felt more tired than usual. She put the problem down to her age, but Sam didn’t seem convinced.

Sam expressed concern about Denise’s lack of energy, but Denise just brushed it off, pointing out she was busy like other mums who were juggling having kids and running a business.

However, Denise then underwent a bone marrow test, which confirmed that she had cancer. Denise was told during an appointment that she attended alone, and she understandably struggled to get her head around the diagnosis.

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Yolande found Denise at the salon and quickly realised there was something seriously wrong. Eventually Denise opened up, and in a heartbreaking scene, she broke down in Yolande’s arms.

Denise at the doctor in EastEnders
Denise has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of blood cancer (Credit: BBC)

Denise hid her diagnosis in EastEnders

Denise hid her diagnosis from her friends and family, with only Yolande and Jack knowing about the cancer. Eventually she was forced to confess what was going on when Chelsea worked out she was hiding something at Kim and Howie’s engagement party.

Her family were understandably shocked, and since then have rallied around Denise, supporting her as she faces four gruelling weeks in hospital undergoing treatment.

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Denise cries as Yolande holds her
Denise opened up to Yolande (Credit: BBC)

The heartache continues

After an emotional evening with Kim and a happy reunion with Libby, Denise was finally ready to take on the battle of a lifetime.

Denise went into hospital and was told by her consultant that this would be the toughest month of her life. That the ward she was on would become her world. And that visitors would be limited to reduce the risk of infection.

Denise was also warned that the treatment was her best chance of a cure, but that it would come at a cost and some patients even ended up in intensive care as a result.

Finally, with Jack by her side, Denise watched as the nurse started the machine and her treatment got underway.

Jack holds Denise's hands as she goes into hospital
Denise now faces the battle of a lifetime (Credit: BBC)

EastEnders has worked with Blood Cancer UK

EastEnders has announced that Denise (played by Diane Parish) will now face the battle of her life as she undergoes treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer.

It has been confirmed that the storyline will play out across the rest of the year. It will follow Denise in the wake of her diagnosis, exploring its impact on her and her loved ones.

EastEnders has been working with Blood Cancer UK to ensure the story is portrayed as sensitively as possible.

Executive Producer, Ben Wadey, said: “It was vital to us that Denise’s storyline is portrayed with sensitivity and care. We’re grateful to Blood Cancer UK for their advice in helping us tell this story accurately.

“As viewers follow Denise, we hope to shine a light on the realities and challenges of an acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosis and the impact it has on the person affected and those around them.”

Denise telling Jack about her diagnosis
Denise faces telling Jack about her diagnosis (Credit: BBC)

Is Denise leaving EastEnders?

No, there has been no indication that Denise is leaving EastEnders, despite her diagnosis. In fact, Denise was mentioned in the flashforward episode. So we know she will be on our screens until at least the New Year.

While we didn’t see her on screen for the flashforward, Jack mentioned that he had seen her that morning.

It was revealed in EastEnders that Denise’s form of cancer usually sees a 5-year survival rate, but at a shockingly low 25%.

The news understandably came as a devastating blow to Denise. She now faces the battle of a lifetime with her friends and family around her.

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns