The return of Ian's former wife, Jane Beale, causes Denise to have doubts about their relationship. Denise learns that Ian had sex with prostitute Rainie Cross on the night Lucy died.

She tells Ian that she forgives him but leaves him the next day, taking Patrick back to live in his own house, declaring that Ian isn't the man she loved.

Lucas kills Owen on their wedding day and his body is discovered eight months later. Denise and Patrick soon become wary of Vincent's intentions.Denise is visited by the police, saying someone in their custody has given her address as theirs.

Fatboy's girlfriend, Poppy Meadow, learns of the kiss and posts a letter to Ian, before leaving Walford but Lucy reads it and challenges Denise.

This becomes public, thanks to Ian's daughter, Lucy. She no doubt would’ve had to furlough her staff and close the salon during lockdown, which might leave her with limited money to her name during the difficult time.This theory does work, but the only anomaly we have found in this is that Denise is living with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and his children now, so if Denise has limited amount of money, would it really be an issue if she’s living with Jack?Let’s get this one out in the open, what if we saw the return of evil Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet)? Vincent (Richard Blackwood) was usually the one in the couple that got himself involved in trouble, but how interesting would it be if Kim was the one who created this dilemma for Denise?2017 also saw Denise lose her job and experience poverty that saw her use foodbanks and survive on little to no money. However, it is revealed she has feelings for Fatboy and after she welcomes him into her home, they have sex again. As she is about to leave, Patrick tries to stop her, but fails and leaves a message, asking her to call him as soon as possible. Kim finds out about Denise's plans and tries to talk her out of it whilst Patrick agrees to support her.

Just your standard life in Walford then!As we prepare ourselves to catch up with the Walford residents and see how they’ve been coping in lockdown, we’ve gathered all theories on what’s ahead for Denise and the likelihood of each theory coming true:Denise’s scenario will involve an accident of some sort, and will have the potential to be life changing for Denise and someone else in Albert Square. Denise confronts schoolboy Keegan Baker after he vandalises the garden in the square. Denise helps Jordan come to terms with his mother's death, with them believing it to be an overdose.

Kim’s ex-husband (or husband…who knows if he’s dead?) Denise and Carly leave Walford after the funeral, seeking the right place to scatter Kevin's ashes.Denise returns, but is angry to discover her daughter Chelsea is using drugs and in contact with her father, former drug addict Lucas Johnson. Denise eventually claims for Universal Credit, but is stunned that she will not receive money for ten weeks as she left her job voluntarily, but is given a referral to a food bank. Lucas keeps Denise prisoner in the house next door but she escapes after a few weeks and Lucas is arrested, later sentenced to life imprisonment. Amelle visits Denise and JJ, but he refuses to come out from under the table. Moving to Walford, Denise has a tempestuous encounter with Kevin Wicks; however, an attraction develops and they begin dating. On returning home, she discovers that Cindy has returned and that Ian has delivered her newborn daughter, Beth. Storylines. Denise helps Ian open a restaurant and supports him when Carl White threatens and blackmails him. Denise persuades him to see his mother, and when Hilary talks about increased contact, Denise decides JJ should live with Amelle. Is it possible she’s back to help Denise with this inevitable ‘life changing’ event? Dennis turned out to be the character who met his death during EastEnders’ explosive anniversary scenes aboard the party boat.

Ray tells Kim about it but says Denise made the first move, so Kim slaps Denise and says she is dead to her. Or, plot twist…maybe Kim is part of this dark story?

When he leaves hospital, he stays with Ian and Denise. He does not reply but visits and tells her to leave him alone. Denise visits Lucas again and he wants Jordan to visit too. She has sex with Fatboy when he defends her from an overly-persistent interest and allows him to walk her home. Denise visits Lucas in prison and he tells her that he thinks about her, asking her to find Jordan. They have an argument and Denise quits but returns on the condition that Kim puts in more effort. However, Kim's confessions to Shirley, Kat Moon, Linda Carter and Patrick reveal that her husband does exist but she left him when she found out that he was a criminal.

Horrified, Denise calls Phil a murderer and tries to get him arrested but fails to do so.Yusef starts a fire at the bed and breakfast, damaging it so badly that Denise, Kim and Patrick are forced to move out. When Kush suffers a heart attack shortly afterwards, Denise regrets rejecting him and spontaneously proposes to him in the hospital; he accepts.