Zack Morris was once the most hated man in Walford – but his character has undergone quite the transformation.
Although the 22-year-old actor’s real life is drastically different to that of Keegan Baker, there have been some similarities in the past, including rumours of his love life.
Keegan started off as an EastEnders villain when he first rocked up in 2017 as a nasty school bully and was immediately hated by viewers.
But over the last few years we’ve seen a completely different side to misunderstood Keegan, particularly when the rest of his family, the Taylors, rocked up in Albert Square.
Revealing how he was at school, Zack has said: “I wasn’t extremely naughty and I wasn’t extremely good. So, I’ve got a little bit of Keegan, but none of the bullying and that kind of stuff. I’ve got his cheekiness.
“In school, if I thought I was right, then I was right. I’d like to try and get my point across. I had quite a few arguments with teachers.’
Zack went to the D&B Academy of Performing Arts in Bromley thanks to a very familiar face.
The aspiring actor was chosen by JLS singer n TV host Marvin Humes to be have his education funded by his scholarship.
“Marvin Humes went there too. He’s got a scholarship, which I’ve got. He picks one person every year to fund, and he funds me,” Zack told to What’s On TV.
“He’s really nice, and comes in a couple of times a year to have a chat with me. He’s been really supportive.”
Former EastEnders co-stars Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) and Tilly Keeper (Louise Mitchell) also went to the same school.
Before he joined the soap, Zach was a West End child star appearing in Joseph and The Technicolour Dreamcoat, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Oliver!.
(Image: _zack_morris/Instagram)
But Zack feared he wasn’t going to get the part of Keegan when he auditioned at 16-years-old because he didn’t hear back from anyone for a month.
“When I had my original audition, I didn’t hear anything back for quite a while, so I actually assumed that I didn’t get it,” he explained.
“But after a few more weeks, I heard that I had another audition and it all worked out from there.”
Zack was nominated for Best Newcomer at The British Soap and TV Choice Awards in his first year and won Best Emerging Talent at the Black International Film Festival Music Video & Screen Awards.
In EastEnders, Zack’s character is currently married to Tiffany Butcher, played by Maisie Smith, and some speculated this relationship had also ventured off-screen.
In February last year, the couple denied they were dating after being spotted leaving the soap’s 35th anniversary party together.
(Image: Shared Content Unit)
The on-screen couple were spotted heading home in the same cab together, but they both quickly insisted they are just close pals.
Maisie told MailOnline: “I film most of my scenes with Zack, naturally we’ve built a great friendship. Nothing but mates.”
In agreement, Zack added: “The majority of our filming days are spent together so we have grown closer as friends but nothing more than that.”
Zack has kept his love life under wraps, with there previously been rumours he was seeing a hair and make-up artists from Hertfordshire, but they haven’t been pictured together since 2019.
But one thing Zach would like to see come to Maisie for is Strictly Come Dancing tips after she competed last year.
Speaking in a joint BBC Radio 1Xtra interview, Zack said he would love to try out for the competition and has been heavily linked for the new line-up.
(Image: _zack_morris/Instagram)
Zack has also been working hard at the gym and has unveiled his chiselled physique on Instagram.
However, fans were baffled earlier this year when he headed out for a run in a blizzard.
The actor admitted he wasn’t having fun as he battled the snow but insisted “we have to do what we have to do” as he quickly got out of breath.
“Is it too crazy to go for a run in this?” he asked his followers before heading off anyway.
“Remember what I said about getting out for exercise no matter the weather?” he asked, “If you can do this in the snow, you can do it any time! I’m trying my best not to fall over.”
Later, fans could see the snowfall had intensified, Zack laughing: “I’m not gonna lie – after falling over, I’m a bit wet, and the snow’s coming down a bit heavier.
“This is not fun! This is not fun! But we do what we have to do!”
*EastEnders airs tonight on BBC One at 7.30pm
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-keegan-actors-romance-denial-24317679