EastEnders' Denise Fox to face uncertainty over life-saving stem cell match

EastEnders’ Denise Fox pins all her hopes on her estranged brother Darnell Larson next week, when he reveals he might be a potential donor match!

But with Darnell’s fears preventing him from committing to the stem cell transplant, is Denise about to lose her last chance at life?

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"Denise’s good news might be short lived," says our EastEnders insider. "She’s exhausted her treatment options, and doctors are relying on a stem cell transplant. Darnell is the match she’s been searching for – but will he come through for her?"

After the positive news about the donor that the doctor shared during Kim and Howie’s wedding ceremony, Jack’s frustrated at how slow things are moving. Denise’s situation is critical, and the sooner she can receive a transplant, the better her chances of survival.

But when Denise reveals the donor hasn’t come forward, frustrated Jack confronts Darnell, convinced he’s the answer to their problems…

Darnell reluctantly admits he’s a potential match but reiterates his fears and the trauma he has around hospitals.

When Darnell met his half-sister, he explained to her that his fear of hospitals was it reminds him of his late wife Louisa’s illness and death.

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"My wife, Louisa, she was taken into hospital and she never came out," he said. "I've been in one of these places for way too long, sat in one of these chairs for too long.

"And I would've done it a thousand times over, of course, if she could've walked out that door with me and come home to my family. But she didn't."

Denise puts her frustrations aside and accepts her brother’s decision. But Jack is less forgiving of Darnell’s behaviour, terrified of losing his wife.

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Does this mean Denise’s hopes of a stem cell transplant are over? Or will the doctors be able to find another treatment to prolong her life?

Also next week, Denise selflessly puts her own problems to the side and reaches out to Kat, who is struggling following the death of her daughter Zoe.

After Alfie tells her that he is concerned about his wife, Denise heads over to see Kat to offer her support. Will Denise’s words cut through, and with the Slater-Moons gathering to plant a tree in Zoe’s memory, will Kat join her loved ones?

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.