On the rocks! Zack Hudson enraged by Whitney Dean’s shocking news in EastEnders exit story

Zack Hudson and Whitney Dean (James Farrar and Shona McGarty) left things on bad terms when Zack left her in Milton Keynes following a huge row in recent EastEnders scenes.

With pregnant Whitney still away and their future in jeopardy, drunk Zack ended up making a pass at her best friend Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). Not his finest moment.

In upcoming scenes, Zack gets the news that Whitney is on her way back to Walford, and decides to throw her a welcome home baby shower in the Queen Vic.

Knowing that Whitney would want them there, Zack reluctantly invites Lauren and cousin Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine), though Lauren can sense his awkwardness.

In a bid to sort things out before Whitney returns home and notices that something isn’t right, Lauren visits Zack to smooth things over, and promises to keep quiet about their almost-kiss.

When Whitney finally arrives home, Zack is horrified to find that Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell) is with her.

It was Whitney’s concern for Britney that caused Zack to leave in the first place, after he announced that he just wanted their new baby and didn’t want to foster anymore.

Things only get worse for the couple when Britney announces that Whitney is her new foster mum, leaving Zack stunned.

Furious at not having been consulted, Zack storms out.Will he and Whitney ever be able to see eye to eye over Britney?

EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders star James Farrar has hinted at a sad split for his character Zack Hudson and partner Whitney Dean.

Whitney is set to return to the Square next week, following the start of her exit storyline in Milton Keynes.

The special episodes saw Whitney become determined to foster troubled youngster Britney Wainwright, which didn’t go down well with Zack. As a result, he returned to Walford alone and later tried to kiss Whitney’s best friend, Lauren Branning.

“Zack feels a real sense of guilt about trying to kiss Lauren, and he still doesn’t know why that situation happened,” said Farrar.

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“I think he felt seen by Lauren because she empathised with him over the Britney situation, and there’s also a definitely physical attraction there.

“Zack has deep-rooted issues with people not showing him the love that he thinks he might deserve. Deep down, he’s worried that Whitney has chosen a different life with Britney to the one they had planned.”

The actor went on to explain Zack’s “shock” over Whitney unexpectedly arriving at The Vic with Britney, which will create a difficult atmosphere between the couple.

“There’s a lot of resentment. Zack feels like things could have been communicated better by Whitney. He can’t understand why she’s hiding things and worries there is a lack of trust between them,” he explained.

Related: EastEnders’ Dean Wicks tells a shocking lie in iPlayer episode

“They’ve never hidden stuff like this from each other, and that’s why Zack and Whitney’s bond has been so strong. With everything they’ve been through, this doesn’t sit right with him.

“For such a lovely guy, Zack can be pretty brutal in his actions and beliefs. That’s probably based on the trauma he’s gone through in the past. He’s being incredibly selfish, and, no, he doesn’t want to foster. Not right now, not in this situation.”

On whether Zack and Whitney can resolve their differences, Farrar concluded: “I’m not sure. All the decisions being made are very irrational. Whitney’s decisions are irrational, and so are Zack’s. They should be able to meet halfway, but for some reason, they can’t seem to.”