BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 16 Jun 2026, 12:06 By Claire Crick 16 Jun 2026, 12:06 'Utterly heartbreaking' EastEnders fans 'sobbing' after spotting devastating moment in special Denise episode Fans have called today's EastEnders 'one of the most powerful episodes all year' Denise Fox Jack Branning Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 16 Jun 2026, 12:06 By Claire Crick 16 Jun 2026, 12:06 WARNING: This article is full of spoilers for today’s EastEnders episode, which is streaming on BBC iPlayer now but has not yet aired on BBC One, and sees Denise face her worst fears. Today’s EastEnders sees Denise go into hospital and start her cancer treatment. But, as Denise faces a month in isolation, fans can’t get over how emotional and ‘utterly heartbreaking’ the episode was. Denise says an emotional goodbye to her family (Credit: BBC) Denise says goodbye to her family After revealing her cancer diagnosis in yesterday’s episode, Denise knows she has to face the music and call the hospital back. Today, she makes the call she has spent days dreading, with Jack by her side. As she puts on a brave face for her family, Denise tries to keep things light-hearted and normal around Raymond. However, Chelsea, Ricky and Amy aren’t so easily distracted from the horror of what is happening to their family, and they’re stunned when they learn Denise will be on an isolation ward in hospital for four weeks. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers As Chelsea calls Libby to tell her about Denise’s cancer, Max arrives with some beers and the rest of Jack’s friends to show him that he isn’t alone. Kim is a rock for Denise (Credit: BBC) Meanwhile, Denise spends her last evening on the Square for a while over at Kim’s. The pair share a gut-wrenching heart-to-heart where they talk about how Kim will be a mum to Denise’s kids if she doesn’t make it home again, and how terrified Denise is about what is to come.Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your EastEnders newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. The sisters pour their hearts out over their shared heartache over what Denise is facing, and the moment that Denise has been dreading comes when Kim takes out her hair weave. The following day, Denise makes the family promise to stick to her housework rota, and to look after one another. Jack is keen to leave, but just before they head off, Denise is thrilled to see Libby has arrived to see her off. Jack is by Denise’s side (Credit: BBC) Denise starts her gruelling treatment in EastEnders As Denise arrives at the hospital, she is scared when she sees the room she will spend the foreseeable future in. Jack takes her hand as she bravely gets ready to start her treatment. But the reality of what she is facing hits when the doctor admits that some people in her position end up in intensive care. The doctor also tells Denise that this is her best chance for survival, but it comes at a cost. Visitors will be restricted because her immunity will be so low. And she is facing the most gruelling four weeks of her life. Denise faces her biggest challenge ever (Credit: BBC) EastEnders fans have their say about Denise and her emotional episode As the treatment begins, Jack is by Denise’s side, and she bravely watches as the nurse starts the machine. But while fans have admitted they were in tears watching Denise’s ordeal, they were also full of praise for Diane Parish as she portrayed Denise’s hospital scenes… “Wow, just wow. Give Diane Parish all the awards. This storyline has only just begun, and she has already smashed it!” said one fan on social media. Another fan agreed: “That episode was just utterly heartbreaking. Denise is so brave, I sobbed throughout the whole thing.” “The moment when Denise asked when she would feel the treatment taking effect had me in tears,” admitted a third viewer. “This is going to be a gut-wrenching watch.” While another fan added: “That episode was truly phenomenal. The doctor’s speech was brutal, and the whole thing was done to absolute perfection.” Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 16 Jun 2026, 12:06 By Claire Crick 16 Jun 2026, 12:06 Previous Story Next Story
