EastEnders' Denise gets big health news as Darnell makes final decision

Denise Fox got a major uplift in tonight's EastEnders as her fight against cancer continued. Thursday's (27 August) episode picked up in the immediate aftermath of yesterday's cliffhanger, when she woke up from her coma and found long-lost brother Darnell standing in front of her.

Today, Denise asked Kim and Jack to give the siblings some privacy, and they attempted to get to know about each other's lives. He told her that he has a daughter, and that his wife previously passed away.

When Denise asked about their father, he said: "He was there but he wasn't really. Been ten years since I've even seen him at all. I had him, but you didn't really miss much. Sorry if that's not the story you were looking for."

Related: EastEnders casts popular sitcom star for dramatic Zoe Slater exit story

When Denise began coughing, he asked if there was anything that he could do - and she broached the issue of him being tested for a possible stem cell transplant.

Denise's health has continued to deteriorate as her cancer progresses, and doctors recently revealed that chemotherapy would be incredibly tough on her body, making a transplant her best chance of survival.

However, Darnell reacted negatively to the question, and revealed that it's because of the trauma he carries from his late wife's illness.

"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.

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV

"When they told me about you, I thought, 'nah. I ain't never setting foot in one of them places ever again'. But then I got this other feeling. Like, if I've got a sister and my little baby girl, she gets an aunt, maybe that's a sign... I get back a little bit of family."

Crumbling into tears, he continued: "But then I see these machines, I hear all the noises and it brings it all back, and it's too much. I'm sorry but it's too much. And as much as I wanna help you, I just don't know if I can."

Denise gently replied: "I am sorry, what happened to your wife. And I'm sorry that I made you have to be here. But I'm glad that you are, because I've got a brother now. And if you could take that step through that door then maybe you can take the next step to help me."

Darnell was given food for thought, and later in the episode, Jack received a phone call from Denise, during which she tearfully told him that Darnell agreed to take the test.

So now, the big question is: will he be a match, and will Denise be able to get the transplant?

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.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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.