BBC EastEnders’ Denise Fox prepares to confess to Jack Branning as she sparks concern

EastEnders fans will be left gripped next week as Denise Fox prepares to confess to Jack Branning after the Christmas Day murder.

Soap fans will recall that over the festive period, The Six – made up of Denise, Stacey Slater, Suki Panesar, Linda Carter, Sharon Watts and Kathy Beale – grouped together to cover up a murder. During the explosive episode, Suki’s abusive husband Nish Panesar tried to stop her from leaving him for lover Eve Unwin as he got aggressive.

The Six stepped in, where Denise whacked him over the head with a Champagne bottle. After thinking he was dead, he was able to be revived but during the dramatic scenes, Sharon’s jilted groom Keanu Taylor showed up and attempted to take her son, Albie, where he started strangling Sharon to which Linda stabbed him.

So far, The Six have covered up the murder by hiding Keanu’s body in the abandoned café following the fire, while Nish, who is back in Walford after his coma, fails to remember anything from that day. However, while the women attempt to stay strong, Denise has been struggling after her necklace, with her initial D, was accidentally buried with Keanu’s body with the character unable to retrieve the vital piece of evidence.

In scenes next week, it’s Denise’s birthday but she has forgotten all about it. Upon her family excitedly greeting her with birthday celebrations, she is so overwhelmed that she rushes out. Concerned partner Jack follows and tries to find out what’s wrong but Denise knows she can’t open up to him.

Later, the family are all upset and confused with a scared Raymond begging her to go back to being his mummy again. After realising her family’s concern, Denise decides to tell Jack everything. Later in the week, it’s the day of baby Charli’s guardianship hearing with Lily and Ricky both nervous.

Meanwhile, Denise is surprised to hear from Nish that he had an altercation with Jack and Stacey. Stacey convinces her it was over Suki but Denise is so rattled that she rushes off as both families walk into the courtroom. Later, a worried Chelsea finds Denise and begs her to seek help from medical professionals. Meanwhile, Jack joins a party at the Slaters, and Stacey takes him aside to ask about Denise.

The next day, Denise wakes up screaming in her sleep but Jack is not there. Later, when he gets home, Jack is short with Denise over missing the court hearing while she asks where he’s been all night to which he makes an excuse about work. This leaves Denise paranoid as she fears that the case might be connected to the Christmas Day death and steals his phone to find out.

At Fox and Hair, Denise overreacts when Penny says she’s ringing Jack and the mobile rings on her desk. In true soap style, Jack arrives and a row breaks out, where Denise reveals he slept with someone else to a disgusted Penny. Following this, Denise seeks out an unlikely confidante…

Later, at the Vic, psychic Madame Tellerina takes the stage as Denise wanders in and immediately sparks concern from the others as she looks terrible. And it’s not long until Kathy, Stacey and Suki are left shocked when Denise volunteers to go on stage, hoping to get some answers to her despair and later, at home, her grip on reality slips even further…