EastEnders star James Farrar has confirmed that his character Zack Hudson will soon be linked to the Slater family with an exciting new job.

Zack was recently left unemployed when Ravi’s restaurant Walford East was shut down and he lost his job as the restaurant’s chef.

While Zack seems to still be looking for work, we now know what the future holds for his career, as it’s been confirmed exclusively to us that he will soon return to The Vic as the pub’s chef.

Speaking exclusively to us at a photoshoot for the Inside Soap Awards 2025, James says he’s looking forward to being back at his previous workplace and getting involved with the Slaters, who are now running the pub.

“It’s nice to be in the centre of the drama with the Slaters,” he said. “Obviously Zoe Slater doesn’t get on with my family too well… but it’s nice. I started the show in The Vic kitchen, and now I’m back there. I was with the Carters before, and now I’m with the Slaters.”

It’s been a big year for Zack on the show, with one highlight being his and Teddy’s dramatic car crash stunt in May where it briefly looked like he had perished in the water.

“Zack’s big stunt with the Mitchells, I would say, is up there with the best moments in my acting career,” reflected James.

“It’s sad not to have Dolly and Whitney on the scene, so it’d be sad for him not to fight for Barney. But you know what happens when he fights for Barney – he gets chucked in a lake!”

Asked why fans should get behind EastEnders in the Best Soap category this year, James replied: “Why should EastEnders win – why shouldn’t they? I think the 40th [anniversary] was groundbreaking, and New Year’s was probably one of my favourite bits of EastEnders ever.

“I just think we’re smashing it across the board. Ben [Wadey, executive producer] in the new era has brought back characters who everybody wanted to see, characters I never thought would come. So I think EastEnders for Best Soap!”