EastEnders’ Zack Morris fights back tears as he thanks soap for ‘best years of my life’ after Keegan’s exit

EASTENDERS star Zack Morris fought back tears as he bid an emotional farewell to the soap.

It comes after his character Keegan Baker quit Walford with wife Tiffany, played by Maisie Smith, last night.

In an emotional interview which the BBC captioned “grab a box of tissues” he called his time on the show the “best years of my life”.

He said: “Playing Keegan has been quite honestly the best character I’ve ever played. It’s been the best job I’ve ever had.

“It’s been the best experience. I’ve been here five years and a bit of change.

“Over the years Keegan has evolved, grown. I love the person he is, I love the person he wants to be. And I love what he stands for.

“Everyone who has watched, everyone who has supported me, anyone who shows me love on the street, anyone who loves Keegan. Listen, thank you.

“Genuinely thank you, because without people watching, without people caring, then I wouldn’t be here doing up big, big goodbye messages.

“Yeah, man, thank you to the viewers. Gave me the best five years of my life.”

Last night fans saw Keegan leaving the Square for a new life in Germany after estranged wife Tiffany made a shock return for him.

Fans were in tears as he said goodbye to his mum, with one tweeting: “Karen losing another son. I feel sorry for her first Keanu now Keegan.”

In real life Zack, 23, has landed a huge role in a blockbuster production, calling it “the stuff of dreams”.

He is going to star in siege survival thriller Jericho Ridge, set in a rundown US town.

The actor will appear alongside Luther’s Nikki Amuka-Bird, who plays a cop called Tabby trying to save her son from a drug cartel.

Posting on Twitter earlier this month he wrote: “On route to the airport to start a new job just 10 days after leaving one.

“This really is the stuff of dreams. I never in a million years expected this to happen! The hard work and overtime is really starting to pay off 🚀✈️✌🏽.”

His screen mum Lorraine Stanley wrote: “Go fly son….literally!! Can’t wait to hear all about it,big love & warm hugs ✌🏼💙🌟.”