Since first arriving on our screens back in March 2021, EastEnders star James Farrar has captured the heart of the nation with his portrayal of Zack Hudson in the iconic BBC soap.

The 36 year old actor has delighted audiences at home with Zack’s antics over the years, which have included a selection of very rocky romances with everyone from Nancy Carter to Sam Mitchell, Janine Butcher and most recently Whitney Dean.

However, in real life, actor James’ life couldn’t be more different, with the star having enjoyed an enduring romance with his wife Ali Roff Farrar for well over fifteen years, something which even saw the couple welcome an adorable baby girl into the world back in 2021.

Here, we take a closer look at James’ impressive life away from Walford.

Early Life

A Londoner born and bred, James Castling Farrar first started his life on 19 June 1987, when he was born in Greenwich.

Having developed a love of performing at an early age, James went on to professionally hone his talents by studying for a drama and media studies degree at the University of Portsmouth, before later moving on the the Central School of Speech and Drama.

In addition to his acting credentials, James is also a qualified personal trainer and vegan chef!

Career before EastEnders

Before the soap, James carved out a successful acting career working on huge TV shows likeCall The Midwifein 2017, Doctors in 2016 and, Silent Witness in 2015.

He’s also got an incredible modelling career under his belt too. On Instagram he’s shared some of his latest campaigns for Jimmy Choo and Dolce and Gabbana, working alongside the likes of Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss.

He recently revealed the devastating reason why he took a step back from his modelling career and took the job on EastEnders.

“One of the reasons I joined EastEnders was because of my mum, who has cancer,” he toldTV Mag.

“It meant that if these are my last days with her, we spent them together rather than me travelling the world.”

Rival soap role

Long before he achieved widespread acclaim on EastEnders, James first made a name for himself as Liam Gilmore in Hollyoaks, a role he held for two years between 2012 and 2013.

Described by James as a “cheeky chappy”, the character was involved in a number of gripping storylines with his on-screen sister Jen Gilmore, played by Amy Downham.

This included the shocking revelation that teacher Jen had struck up a relationship with one of her pupils, Tilly Evans.

Stunning Wife

While James’ Walford alter-ego may have been unlucky in love, thankfully the can’t be said for the actor himself, who has been happily in a relationship with his wife wellness writer Ali Roff Farrar for 15 years.

In 2020, Ali published her book ‘The Wellfulness Project’ and James gushed: “The day I shoot my first Hollywood movie is the day I’ll achieve what you have today Ali. You did it.”

The couple currently live in Blackheath, London where they are currently raising their first child together, daughter Summer.

Embracing Fatherhood

James became a father for the first time in November 2021, when wife Ali gave birth to an adorable baby girl names Summer Connie Castling Farrar.

Announcing the news at the time, Zack shared a joyful snap of his little one cradled in his mother's arms on his Instagram story and tagged his closest family and friends.

He wrote: “Life will never stand still again and nor will I! #bobbinglife"

The new parents tied the knot in 2017, with James admitting that his wife is his “soulmate.”

Wellbeing expert and author, Ali, announced their pregnancy back in July 2021 with a photo of the couple smiling in the mirror as they cradled her baby bump.

She captioned the photo: “Mama and Papa. #babylove #firstbumppic #love.”

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