Zack and Barney bond as a surprise plan is formed in EastEnders

Calli Kitson

Published April 9, 2025 10:00pm

Zack and Barney are filmed by Tommy and Joel in EastEnders — Zack Hudson grows closer to his son Barney Mitchell (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Zack Hudson’s (Jack Farrar) whole world changed recently in EastEnders as he discovered he’s father to Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman).

When Barney’s mum Nicola (Laura Doddington) arrived in Walford, we learnt she had a brief fling with Zack many years ago. It wasn’t until Barney was sent to hospital with an injury that Zack learnt about his connection to the young lad, as they shared a blood match.

With his biological daughter living with Whitney (Shona McGarty), Zack seizes an opportunity to get to know his son in upcoming episodes when he offers to train Barney at the gym, and Teddy (Roland Manookian) accepts.

The father and son continue to connect later in the week, as Zack and Barney head out for a run.

However, when troublesome Nicola arrives back from her holiday, she is less than impressed to learn that Zack is training Barney.

She approaches Zack and warns him to keep away from Barney, but he completely ignores her pleas.

Aware Zack isn’t listening to her, Nicola enlists the help of Tommy (Sonny Kendall) and Joel (Max Murray), who antagonise Barney during his training session.

Believing Zack is to blame, an upset Barney flees, leaving Zack devastated.

Can they make amends?

Or will Nicola get in the way again?

Zack might well be in danger if she does, given the fact we now know Nicola was responsible for the death of Shireen, Harry’s (Elijah Holloway) girlfriend who went missing.