EastEnders' Zack Hudson (James Farrar) is in quite the predicament: he is deeply in love with Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), who is mere days from tying the knot with Ross Marshall (Alex Walkinshaw). Vicki and Ross's relationship came to a screeching halt after his son, the vile incel Joel Marshall (Max Murray), attacked her. Joel's disgusting behaviour finally reached a crescendo as he beat her unconscious before filming her while she lay prone on the floor. Zack proved to be a tower of strength for her as she suffered in the immediate aftermath.
When Vicki encountered a man in the Vic who espoused many of the same beliefs Joel expressed, she saw red, followed him to the laundrette, and knocked him out. Luckily, Zack was around and, thinking on his feet, he made the situation, and the man, go away. Later, they shared a passionate kiss, which was interrupted by a shocked Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), and soon after, they slept together. Vicki then reunited with Ross, despite her obvious and unwavering attraction to Zack. She admitted to Ross that she had been unfaithful after he proposed but stopped short of revealing who it was she had slept with.
Things got even more complicated when Zack was forced to move in with Ross and Vicki after facing financial difficulties. As the wedding approached, Zack found himself unable to let his feelings for Vicki lie and began to pursue her. While attending Ross's stag do, he was drafted in by Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) as a stripper for Vicki's hen do, a job he gladly undertook. Vicki, conflicted herself, was less than impressed when he emerged and began to remove his clothes. As the two later spoke at the bar, with the tension obviously swelling, Kathy pulled the fire alarm, hoping to pour cold water on their increasingly heated moment. Unfortunately, her actions had the opposite effect, as they ended up swapping spit in a back alley where they were spotted by an opportunistic Louie Beale (Jake McNally), who attempted to blackmail them for £20,000. Though Vicki managed to shut the scheme down, it resulted in Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) learning the truth. With him, Kathy, and Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) now aware of their tryst, it was clear their secret was becoming dangerously close to being exposed.
Wedding Preparations Underway
The wedding preparations are fully underway next week, and Zack is still determined to stop the ceremony from going ahead, unable to quell his feelings for Vicki, who is determined to marry Ross. On Monday, as the Vic is being readied for the upcoming occasion, Zack is forced to rush out when he receives a phone call. Later, he is crestfallen further when he receives some utterly gutting news. Despite what he learns, he continues to plough ahead, trying to convince both the bride and groom that they are making a mistake, leading to a fiery confrontation moments after the wedding ceremony begins.
What Lies Ahead?
Will Zack win Vicki's heart? Or will he be left alone and heartbroken? The drama unfolds in upcoming episodes of EastEnders on BBC One.
