Christmas. A time for joy, celebration and, in many households, divorce. And, to be honest, we’d expect nothing less form EastEnders.
This festive season it is Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) marriage to Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) that is on the rocks and, given the year they’ve had, we can’t say we’re surprised.
This couple has had more ups and downs than a yoyo this year, and now it seems that the string is set to snap and send their relationship plummeting for good.
At the beginning of the week, things look positive as Denise determines that she is prepared to fight for her marriage, though she is unaware that guilt-ridden Jack has caused a ruckus by lashing out at Amy and Ricky (Ellie Dadd and Frankie Day).
However, when their conversation is interrupted by Raymond, reluctant Denise heads back to No.27 to continue it.
It isn’t long before a discovery sends Denise reeling, and she heads to No.20 to seek advice from sister Kim (Tameka Empson).
Kim makes it very clear that she thinks Denise should divorce Jack, as their marriage is clearly over.
Having mulled over Kim’s opinion, Denise decides that it is time she put an end to things for good, and sets about packing a bag.
Unfortunately, she is stopped by a horrified Amy, who takes the news of her impending departure badly.
As Amy flees from the house, Denise and Jack embark on a desperate search for the missing teen, and are relieved to find her crying in the playground.
Jack is quick to blame Denise for Amy’s mental state, and forbids Denise from leaving the family home, sending her plan to leave up in smoke and leaving her trapped in her failing marriage.
Later, when Jack tries to make amends, Denise refuses to forgive him for using Amy’s mental health to blackmail her.
When the carol concert rolls around, Denise watches on alongside Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), as they each attempt to suppress their inner torment…
