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EastEnders actress Tameka Empson said her character Kim Fox has had a “reality check” after her sister’s cancer diagnosis, adding: “There are moments where she wants to cry and break down.”
She made her first appearance on Albert Square in 2009, and is a fan-favourite character known for her vibrant personality and social media influencer alter-ego – “The Kimfluencer”.
Empson, 49, plays the sister of Denise Fox (Diane Parish) who was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia as part of a storyline developed with national charity Blood Cancer UK.
In an interview with the Press Association, the actress and comedian said her character was “going through a change” as she was faced with her sister’s mortality.
Empson said: “I think she’s surprising herself, because Denise is her world.
“I think she’s going through a change. She will always be fun, she will always have the bubble and the laughs – but this is life.
“I think that she’s surviving. She’s trying to organise everybody and so far, so good.”
“When something like cancer hits a person, it’s not just the person; it’s the family,” she added.
Empson said her character was “doing her best” as she does not want to let her sister down, and added: “It’s definitely a reality check for Kim.
“I think Kim has always got away with being silly and not having much responsibility
“Now that the cancer is affecting Denise, it is now down to her to be the matriarch, to help make sure that all the kids are organised and to do what (Denise) would have done.”
Amid her ongoing family struggles, Kim has been planning her wedding to Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) which is due to take place next month – on the same day Max Branning (Jake Wood) ties the knot with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).
Viewers saw Kim and Howie debate delaying her nuptials, but ultimately kept their original September date in the hope that Denise could attend.
