WARNING: This article contains spoilers for today’s EastEnders episode, now streaming on BBC iPlayer ahead of its BBC One broadcast, and sees Sam rush to Denise’s aid.
There’s fresh concern for Denise in today’s EastEnders, as her ongoing health mystery takes a troubling twist while she’s at work.
Thankfully, Sam steps in when it matters most, but viewers are already saying the same thing: they want to see a lot more of her on screen.
EastEnders: Sam is there for Denise
When Sam arrives for a hair appointment at the salon today, she is surprised to find Denise asleep.
Sam creeps around, joking that she is going to pinch some of the products when Denise wakes up. She brushes off Sam’s concerns that she was asleep on the job and claims that Jack had her awake half the night with his snoring.
Denise tells Sam she is fine to do her haircut, but when she is wobbly as she stands, Sam tells Denise she is taking her home. As Josh cancels all of Denise’s afternoon appointments, Sam gets muffins on the way back to Denise’s house.
The pair have a frank conversation about their age and how tired Denise has been. Denise finally promises Sam she will make a doctor’s appointment. And, happy that Denise will see a professional, she leaves her to rest.
Denise shares her health worries
Some fans are worried that Denise could be pregnant, while others are predicting a new health storyline for the character.
Last month, Denise admitted to Sam that she had been feeling shattered.
She joked that if she went to the GP to talk about her tiredness, they would diagnose her with ‘being ancient’ – but fans are convinced this is more than a simple passing comment.
EastEnders fans call for more Sam screen time
While Denise’s well-being is clearly worrying viewers, it’s her scenes with Sam that are stealing the spotlight.
“I loved the scenes between Sam and Denise – more of that, please!” one fan wrote on Reddit. Another added: “Absolutely love Sam! Can they do whatever it takes to make Kim full-time? She’s amazing!”
Others were just as enthusiastic, with one saying: “She really is one of my faves. I hope she sticks around. She’s so refreshing!” and another admitting: “Agreed, I never appreciated her until this time around. She’s actually refreshing. I like how she humanises people.”
Over on X, the message is similar, although some viewers are hoping to see Sam given a bigger storyline of her own. “I like Sam, but I’d like her in a story that more than ‘you should see a doctor’ with Denise,” one fan commented.
Another viewer even suggested a way to keep her firmly in Walford, saying: “I hope Sam buys the share in Fox & Hair since she’s spending time with Denise. Then it gives her another reason to come back and stay!”
With Denise’s health still a mystery and Sam clearly striking a chord with fans, it looks like viewers will be watching closely to see what happens next.