James Farrar joined the cast of EastEnders in 2021, portraying the role of Zack Hudson.

The 37-year-old actor has only been on the BBC soap for four years but his character has caused major drama in Walford.

One year on from his wife-to-be Whitney Dean leaving Albert Square with their daughter Dolly after he cheated on her with best pal Lauren Branning, Zack now faces a new dilemma.

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The chef recently learned he is the biological father of Barney Mitchell, following a fling with Nicola Mitchell many years ago.

Nicola has sworn him to secrecy, but Zack is eager for Barney to find out the truth, and upcoming episodes will see the character involved in a dangerous car crash.

Here, we take a look at James’ life away from Zack and EastEnders, which couldn’t be more different.

James’ career before EastEnders

James studied drama and media at the University of Portsmouth and graduated in 2008. He went on to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2010.

Before pursuing a career in acting, James worked as a model.

Prior to landing the role of Zack in EastEnders, for which he is now best known for, James played Liam Gilmore in Hollyoaks and also appeared in Call the Midwife.

Family life with wife and daughter

James married wife Ali in 2017.

Ali works in the wellness industry and is Psychologies Magazine’s Wellness Director. She co-founded We Are Remedy with her husband, a company which organises luxury wellness retreats across the UK.

She is also the author of The Wellfulness Project, which was released back in 2020.

In 2021, James and Ali welcomed a daughter named Summer. The family of three lives in Blackheath, London.

Modelling career

Before his acting career took off, James enjoyed success as a model, working with bands such as Jimmy Choo and Dolce and Gabanna and alongside big names like Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss.

But he took a step back from travelling the world as a model when his mum was diagnosed with cancer.

He previously told TV Mag: “One of the reasons I joined EastEnders was because of my mum, who has cancer. It meant that if these are my last days with her, we spent them together rather than me travelling the world.”

The soap star added his mum was doing well after undergoing chemotherapy, telling the publication: “She’s smashing it, she’s got the grit of a warrior.”