EastEnders star James Farrar has revealed that some members of the public have refused to shake his hand amid his character Zack Hudson’s HIV storyline.
Speaking on The One Show, the actor, 35, said while most fans have nothing but praise for the soap tackling such a touchy subject, others have left him dumbfounded by their outdated views on the disease.
He said: [EastEnders is] storytelling at its best, you see the Walford residents on Monday – it’s a similar reaction to what [former character] Peggy Mitchell [played by] Barbara Windsor had what was you don’t come into my pub because I don’t want to catch this’.
“Where in my story people say you can catch it from toilet seats and shaking hands.”
Then to hosts Alex Jones and Ronan Keating, “I’ve had it out there in the audience, where people have gone ‘Ugh, I better not shake your hand.”
Shock: EastEnders star James Farrar, 35, has revealed that some members of the public have refused to shake his hand amid his character Zack Hudson’s HIV storyline
Good and Bad: The actor said that while many fans have nothing but praise for the soap for tackling such a sensitive subject, others have left him mystified by their outdated views on the disease (pictured with co-star Letitia Dean)
Before adding, “Whether it’s ironic or not, it’s also not acceptable.”
A stunned Alex replied, “It’s surprising you should say that.”
“It’s still happening,” James said before going on to discuss the intensive research he’d done for the role.
He also talked about the show before tackling the topic when Mark Fowler (Todd Carty) was diagnosed HIV positive in 1991.
Last month, the show’s viewers praised the character for telling Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) that he was HIV positive.
Zack struggled to let his ex know about his status because he was afraid of how she would react.
The couple were devastated by the death of their little girl weeks earlier, after doctors revealed she had Edwards syndrome.
They are no longer together, but Zack finally decided to tell Whitney about his diagnosis.
Shock: He told hosts Alex Jones and Ronan Keating, “I’ve had it out there in the audience, where people have gone ‘Ugh, I better not shake your hand.’
Speaking out, “It’s still happening,” James said before going on to discuss the intense research he’d done for the role (Alex Jones, left, and Ronan Keating, right, pictured)
Throwback: He also talked about the show before broaching the subject when Mark Fowler (Todd Carty, pictured on the show) was diagnosed HIV positive in 1991
While Whitney struggled to accept Zack’s news immediately, viewers took to Twitter to praise his handling of the situation, with many insisting that Whitney could have handled things differently.
One person wrote, “I hope Whitney accepts Zack’s HIV diagnosis and sees him through it, these days your levels become undetectable during treatment and cannot be transferred.”
Another viewer tweeted, “Proud of Zack for telling Whitney about HIV! I understand she was hurt, he never told her, but I didn’t like the way Whitney reacted.’
Someone else posted, “I’m glad Zack Whitney finally told the truth. I wish she didn’t take it so badly. I think he didn’t tell her before because he’s ashamed of how he got it, and he acted like his own enemy! He will feel down now. The HIV didn’t matter to the baby!’
“Zack is finally honest with Whitney about HIV,” another viewer wrote along with a laughing emoji.
One person was not impressed with Whitney’s response, writing, “Whitney did not consider Zack’s feelings when he had HIV.”
Praise: Last month, the show’s viewers praised the character for telling Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) that he was HIV positive
Honestly: Zack started his HIV meds in January when he was consumed with guilt for keeping Whitney in the dark about his condition
Whitney was angry that Zack had not told her about his HIV status, and asked him if it had affected the health of their deceased baby.
When he insisted this was not the case and he had confirmation from the doctors, she was angry that he had spoken to them behind her back without telling her.
Earlier in the episode, Zack met with a doctor who told him that once his medication took his viral load to an undetectable level, he would not be able to pass on HIV.
He was advised to use protection during sex and was told that potential partners could consider using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), drugs that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex or the use of injectable drugs if taken such as prescribed.
Zack told Whitney about his diagnosis, explaining that it happened after using needles to inject steroids in the past.
Unable to handle the news at the time, Whitney was shocked and asked him to leave her home.
Zack started his HIV medication in January when he was consumed with guilt for keeping Whitney in the dark about his condition.
He is overcome with shame about his HIV diagnosis and initially kept it to himself, telling his sister Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) only some of his problems.
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