James Farrar has spoken out following the heartbreaking loss of his longtime agent and close friend Keely Silvester.
The EastEnders actor, 38, who plays Zack Hudson in the BBC One soap, became visibly emotional in a moving video tribute shared online to Keeley on Thursday.
In the heartbreaking video which he posted on his Instagram, James spoke about how much of a true friend Keeley was to him throughout his journey in acting and admitted that he would be nowhere without her belief in him.
Speaking to the camera on Thursday, a grieving and emotional James gushed: “Keely Silvester, you changed my life as you did for so many lads,” he said.
Choking back tears, the soap star continued: “I remember the day I walked into Mortimer Street and you were sat on the end of 20 bookers. You said, what do you want, what do you need? I explained, I said I didn’t really fancy the modelling. You made me feel like I was part of something. There’s nothing better than feeling part of something.”
Recalling their close bond, James said: “Keely’s been at our wedding. She was at my engagement to Ali. She was here the first few weeks of Summer being born.
“We shared some of life’s biggest highs and lows together … bless you for being kind at the same time as being one of the most incredible agents that I think the world has had.”
He also criticised outdated industry advice as he said: “I got told at drama school, don’t be friends with your agents. It’s the worst bit of advice I’ve ever received. These people are a big part of your life, and there needs to be a connection.”
Keeley, who had a successful career representing major names like David Gandy and Paul Sculfor, was remembered by James as both a mentor and a maternal figure.
James became emotional while speaking about Keeley
Continuing his gushing tribute to his late friend, James said: “I often went back to my mum and said, Select are really looking after me and that one particular lady, her name is Keeley, and she reminds me of you. The fact that I felt like you looked after me like a mother would. It was inspiring.”
Speaking of her legacy, he added: “I want my little Summer girl to watch the likes of you. Where you can be kind and successful at the same time, I think we’re forgetting that in this world.
“You were the perfect example early on in my career of what I needed to do – step into rooms, be good. Don’t just be very good, but be very nice, be kind. Thank you, Keely Silvester. Your boy should be proud cause the Select boys certainly are.”
James plays Zack Hudson on EastEnders
Keely’s family thanked James for his beautiful tribute, writing: “Thank you so much James for the beautiful words.”
James, who joined EastEnders in 2021, is best known for playing Zack Hudson, with major plotlines including a dramatic romance with Whitney Dean and an HIV diagnosis storyline that earned praise for its emotional depth.
