DEVASTATING
EastEnders fans in tears as major character receives life-changing news
ZACK Hudson's story continued as he gets tested for HIV - but what were the results?
The chef's - played by James Farrar in the BBC soap - life was turned upside down after his old friend Brett revealed he has HIV.
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Zack was worried having shared needles with him while taking steroid injections in the past.
Viewers also know that Zack is going to be a dad, after Whitney fell pregnant following their one-night stand.
But the chef left Whitney heartbroken by telling her he as no interest being a dad to his unborn child.
Meanwhile, he kept his loved ones in the dark about he's dealing with - but he faced the situation in tonight's episode.
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Zack visited a sexual health clinic to get tested for HIV.
This comes after Zack failed to impress Walford East owner Ravi and land himself the job of Head Chef.
At the restaurant, Zack cut his hand and became overwhelmed, which led to him storming out.
But later, he accepts that he can't keep avoiding the inevitable.
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The nurse told a worried Zack that he cannot gets HIV by touching cuts, shaking hands or touching toilets as she took a sample of his blood.
She then asked if he had sex recently to which Zack replied: ";I going to be a dad."
However, the smile faded as the nurse confirmed he was HIV positive.
Fans were heartbroken for Zack after this life-changing news.
Taking to Twitter, one said: "Poor Zack, not what you need. Whitney’s gonna be s***ting it when she finds out! ."
Another wrote: "Poor Zack…I really felt that moment! ."
A third penned: "Zack is HIV Positive. Well done Zack for taking such a big step and getting tested. The worst bit is over but this isn't the end of the road . You just need to tell your family now and reach out for help and support."
EastEnders has been working with pioneering charity Terrence Higgins Trust on Zack's storyline.
Ian Green, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "It's been incredible to work with EastEnders on Zack’s story to show people across the UK that an HIV diagnosis doesn't have to stop you from living life to the fullest.
"During the height of the HIV epidemic in the 1990s, we worked with EastEnders on Mark Fowler's story to ensure HIV was portrayed accurately on screen.
"Mark was the first mainstream British TV character to be diagnosed with HIV.
"His story was viewed by millions and helped change attitudes about the virus when fear and misinformation was rife.
"Over 30 years on from Mark's storyline and sadly myths about HIV are still held by far too many people.
"The incredible progress we've made around HIV means people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass on the virus and can have a normal lifespan.
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"We hope that Zack’s storyline will educate viewers on the reality of HIV in 2023 and spark conversations in living rooms across the UK."
EastEnders airs on Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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