EastEnders: Denise Fox’s most toxic relationships

From Lucas Johnson and Ian Beale to Phil Mitchell and Jack Branning

eastenders denise fox

by Brooke Pollock |
Updated on

Denise Fox (Dianne Parish) has had one hell of a time on EastEnders.

From murderous husbands to affairs with some of the Square's most notorious men, she has seen it all. So, let’s take a look back at her turbulent love life and see who she's dated – because there’s been quite a lot.

Kevin Wicks

eastenders denise fox kevin wicks
kevin and denise together ©BBC

After making her first appearance in Walford back in 2006, Denise started dating Kevin Wicks (Phil Daniels).

Despite some bumps in the road - namely Denise’s abusive ex-husband Owen and Kevin’s ex Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) who tried to break them up - Denise and Kevin got married and were happy but only for a short time.

After Kevin started selling dodgy cars for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), he tried to get rid of them but was killed.

Owen Turner

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denise visiting owen in prison ©BBC

Owen Turner (Lee Ross) was Denise’s first husband and the father of their daughter Libby Fox aka Squiggle (Belinda Owusu).

He arrived in Walford in 2006 and shortly after hit Denise in front of her daughters. He then took her hostage but was given a six-month prison sentence. After getting released from prison he kidnapped Libby, tried to drown her in Epping Forest and was then arrested again.

Fast forward to 2009, he tried to make amends with Denise and Libby, he had a one-night stand with Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) and after discovering Lucas' murderous secret (more on that in a sec), he ended up become a victim himself and was strangled to death.

Lucas Johnson

eastenders denise fox lucas johnson
lucas and denise on their wedding day ©BBC

Another ex of Denise was Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) - a former drug addict who seemingly changed but it quickly became clear that he had a violent side when he accidentally killed Trina (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) by pushing her onto a rake in a shed.

He then married Denise, despite warnings from Owen and in a fit of rage, Lucas killed Denise's ex and buried him under a tree in the middle of the Square.

After eventually telling Denise the truth about the murders, he tried to kill her, faked her death, kept her hostage in the house next to their family home, killed a prostitute and then told the police that the body was Denise's.

He then released Denise and after she told the family the truth, he was arrested and given life imprisonment.

He made a brief return in 2020 but ended up in prison again and he hasn't been seen since.

Ian Beale

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denise and ian snogging ©BBC

Yes, though you may not remember, Denise did in fact have a relationship with Ian Beale.

They dated for a while and even got engaged at one point, although they both cheated on each other. Denise shared a kiss with Fatboy and Ian slept with Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks).

They had their fair share of issues and just when Denise was about to leave Ian, his daughter Lucy Beale was murdered and she decided to stay with him. However, when she found out about him cheating with Rainie, she left him.

Phil Michell

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denise and phil's drunken one night ©BBC

Denise then had a one-night stand with Phil Mitchell after getting drunk due to all of the stress Lucas caused her. Their one night together resulted in their son Raymond Dawkins (Michael Jose Pomares Calixte), though Phil was unaware of his son.

Denise put Raymond up for adoption, despite protests from her sister Kim (Tameka Empson). However, Raymond was eventually returned to Denise after his adoptive parents were killed.

Kush Kazemi

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denise and a topless kush ©BBC

After Kush Kazemi and his mum Carmel (Bonnie Langford) moved to Walford, Denise quickly became BFFs with her. She then secretly started dating Kush and they were on/off for a while because Denise wanted to prioritise her relationship with her best pal.

Denise rejected Kush's idea to move in together, but then had a U-turn and proposed to him after he suffered a heart attack. However it wasn't meant to be and they eventually called it quits for a final time.

Jack Branning

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denise is loved up with jack ©BBC

Denise started dating Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) back in 2019 but they soon parted ways because Jack didn't want “another Mitchell” in his household after Raymond was left parentless.

Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) managed to push them to get back together and they got engaged and then married alongside Chelsea and her serial-killer husband, Gray Atkins on Christmas Day in 2021.

Fast forward a year and Jack kissed his ex Sam Mitchell, Denise felt neglected due to Jack's work and she had an affair with Ravi.

Ravi Gulati

eastenders denise fox ravi
denise had a fling with ravi ©BBC

At the beginning of 2023, Denise and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) started to grow close and it wasn't long before they shared a kiss or two. He then invited her for a rendezvous at a hotel but she didn't go through with it because she felt guilty.

To make Denise jealous Ravi started to pursue Chelsea, he then blackmailed Denise about their relationship but she eventually came clean to Jack and he forgave her.

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