EastEnders’ James Farrar says people refused to touch his hand during HIV storyline
21.04.2023 - 21:21
/ ok.co.uk
EastEnders star James Farrar left The One Show presenter Alex Jones and Ronan Keating in shock as he admitted that members of the public have "refused" to shake his hand due to his character's HIV storyline. On the popular BBC soap, the 35 year old actor is portraying the role of Zack Hudson, who is struggling to come to terms with his HIV diagnosis. EastEnders often grapples with difficult storylines while using experts in specific issues to offer the most realistic portrayal of a topic.
However, in a candid interview on Friday's edition of The One Show, the soap star relayed how some members of the public have reacted to his storyline. Speaking on the misconceptions of the disease, he said: "It's storytelling at its best. You'll see the Walford residents on Monday – it's a similar reaction to what Peggy Mitchell, Barbara Windsor had, which was you're not coming in my pub because I don't wanna catch this.
"Where within my story, it's been people saying that you can catch it from toilet seats and shaking hands," he added. "I've had it out there in the public, where people have gone 'ugh, I better not shake your hand'. Whether it's tongue-in-cheek or not, it is it's not acceptable either.The admission left Alex shocked as she replied: "It's surprising that you say that," to which James responded: "It's still happening." Viewers also made their comments know about James' comments, as they flocked to social media.
"Lovely to see @JamesFarrar_on the one show talking passionately about how important it is to change perceptions towards HIV. Sad to hear people joking IRL about not wanting to shake hands in case they catch it - shows how it does need a light shining on it still," one person commented. At the start of the year,
.
The website popstar.one is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can
send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.