EastEnders viewers left emotional after Zack and Whitney plant a tree in honour of their late child
EastEnders viewers were extremely emotional after seeing devastating scenes between Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson during Monday night’s episode.
Zack had decided that he wanted to plant a tree in honor of his lost son, Peach.
But in a heated confrontation, Whitney told him that his gesture was “nonsense” and that he didn’t want to be involved.
The couple were devastated by the death of their little girl earlier this month, after doctors revealed she had Edwards syndrome.
But in an attempt to pay homage to his daughter, Zack came up with the idea and surprised Whitney.
Tragic: EastEnders viewers were extremely emotional after seeing devastating scenes between Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson during Monday night’s episode
He said: ‘I bought a tree. It’s a peach tree… to plant in memory of our little girl. Martin said we can use his allowance.
I’ve invited a few people: Sharon, Martin, Sonya, Stacey. I was going to see who else you wanted to invite.
‘Invite? Like it’s a party?’ Whitney replied.
‘Well, people want to be there to support us,’ he said firmly.
Whitney asked, ‘Us? But there is no us, does Zack exist?
Zack replied, “Well, I mean us, like Peach’s parents.”
Going into a tirade, Whitney continued, “Well, aren’t we? Peach isn’t even here. We never change a dirty diaper. We never heard her cry. We never had sleepless nights. So we’re not her parents. You are not her father and I am not her mother.
Confused, Zack asked, ‘But did you want to do something to remember her?’
Opposite: Zack had decided that he wanted to plant a tree in honor of his lost son, Peach.
Heated: But in a heated confrontation, Whitney had told him that his gesture was “nonsense” and that he wanted no part of it.
Whitney responded, “Yeah, well I guess I changed my mind, okay, I guess that doesn’t make sense.”
Startled, Zack said, ‘What? I disagree Whit. It’s not – It’s people showing how much they care. It doesn’t make sense, it’s what life is about.
‘Did you know? I’m going to leave her ashes there and you can do what you want with it. But I’m going to plant this tree because she was my daughter too. And I need to say goodbye.
Later in the episode, Zack gathered, as he said he would, with friends and family to pay their respects.
After delivering an emotional speech, Whitney came up from behind and asked, “Am I too late?”
He went on to address his friends and family, saying: ‘I’m so sorry I pushed you away. I felt that today is not about me. I never got to hold my girl. So I thought that meant that she was not qualified to be a mother.
But I know I’m wrong. Because in my heart, I am a mom. I am a mother, not only to Peach but also to Jordan, Lily and all the other children in my life.
‘I’m really grateful that all of you have been there for me. Maybe one day I’ll have a little brother or sister for Peach, and I know you’ll all be there for me.’
In Memory: Later in the episode, Zack gathered, as he said he would, with friends and family to pay their respects.
Support: After delivering an emotional speech, Whitney came up from behind and asked, “Am I too late?”
Scattering her ashes, he said: ‘Goodbye, my girl.’
“Goodbye, dear Peach,” Zack continued.
Taking to Twitter as the episode aired, fans were left with a whole host of emotions.
One fan tweeted: ‘Aww Zack has been carrying his daughter.’
‘Whitney is really struggling. However, Zack is also grieving,” another commented.
A third said: “Zack and Whit planting a tree for Peach is beautiful,” while a fourth added: “How said and heartbreaking.”
Whitney and Zack were recently devastated by their unborn daughter’s diagnosis of Edwards syndrome and underwent termination to cause premature labor.
After Peach’s death, Whitney and Zack were left to pick up the pieces at the hospital and grieve.
She and Zack described Peach’s life, from birthdays to being a tomboy like her mother, and said goodbye.
The couple returned to Albert Square, where Zack said he could envision Peach’s wedding and more children with Whitney.
Viewers at home wept over the tragic scenes and took to Twitter to express their sadness and praise the soap opera for its handling of the issue.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.