{"id":28200,"date":"2023-01-05T19:54:29","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T18:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1764515"},"modified":"2023-01-06T12:22:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T11:22:39","slug":"eastenders-zack-hudson-to-be-diagnosed-as-hiv-positive","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/eastenders-zack-hudson-to-be-diagnosed-as-hiv-positive\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders\u2019 Zack Hudson to be diagnosed as HIV positive"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Helen Daly\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 05 January 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Zack Hudson, played by James Farrar, will be diagnosed with HIV in a major new storyline with EastEnders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The BBC soap is working with the Terrence Higgins Trust charity to ensure the issue is tackled sensitively.<\/p>\n

Zack will get the diagnosis this month when a former acquaintance, Brett (Fabrizio Santino)<\/a>, turns up in Walford and reveals that he has been diagnosed with HIV, and urges Zack to get tested.<\/a><\/p>\n

The storyline will look to accurately portray the realities of receiving an HIV diagnosis, showing treatment options and implications for Zack who will learn to live with the virus.<\/p>\n

Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said of the storyline: \u201cEastEnders has never shied away from covering sensitive issues and Zack\u2019s story is one of these.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are still so many myths and disinformation surrounding HIV, so working closely with Terrence Higgins Trust has enabled us to really understand what it is like for those that are diagnosed with HIV and we hope that this storyline will bring more awareness of HIV and what it is like to live with the virus in 2023.\u201d<\/p>

Ian Green, chief executive at Terrence Higgins Trust added: \u201cIt\u2019s been incredible to work with EastEnders on Zack\u2019s story to show people across the UK that an HIV diagnosis doesn\u2019t have to stop you from living life to the fullest.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the height of the HIV epidemic in the 1990s, we worked with EastEnders on Mark Fowler\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver 30 years on from Mark\u2019s storyline and sadly myths about HIV are still held by far too many people. The incredible progress we\u2019ve made around HIV means people on effective HIV treatment can\u2019t pass on the virus and can have a normal lifespan.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope that Zack\u2019s storyline will educate viewers on the reality of HIV in 2023 and spark conversations in living rooms across the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n