EastEnders star James Farrar has teased a huge new storyline for his character Zack Hudson.

Speaking to The Mirror at the Inside Soap Awards on Monday (September 30), the actor revealed that Zack will take centre stage next year in

a story that “no one knows about”.

Farrar explained that filming on the top secret plot is “starting around now” and shared his excitement over the scenes finally hitting the screen.

“There is something really exciting coming up next year that nobody really knows about yet,” he said.

“It keeps me going into work every day going… I’m buzzing for it to start. It is just starting around now.”

Zack has had a tumultuous year after splitting from his fiancée Whitney Dean when his night with Lauren Branning was exposed. Whitney then decided to leave Walford with her and Zack’s newborn daughter Dolly.

Elsewhere in the interview, Farrar explained how Whitney’s departure has affected Zack and revealed how the character would move on.

“There’s trauma there and I think finding himself probably isn’t the way to put it. He’s a good bloke, he just makes bad decisions,” he said. “It’s been heartbreaking trying to tackle stuff without Whitney. All he wants is time with his child.”

Farrar joined the BBC soap in 2021 as Sharon Watts’s secret half-brother. He has been involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines since his arrival.

Zack was diagnosed with HIV last year, with the character emotionally sharing the news to the Walford community. Zack and Whitney also suffered the tragic loss of their daughter Peach after doctors discovered she had a chromosomal abnormality.

This year’s Inside Soap Awards saw EastEnders‘ shocking 2023 Christmas murder mystery receive the prize for Best Showstopper.

Suki Panesar actor Balvinder Sopal was named Soap Superstar, with Suki’s ex-husband Nish Panesar, played by Navin Chowdhry, winning the title of Best Soap Villain.