26 January 2023 , 20:30
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EastEnders’ Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson are headed for a heartbreaking storyline involving their baby on the BBC soap, after receiving worrying ultrasound news.
The BBC One soap has confirmed actors Shona McGarty and James Farrar are set to take on the emotional new storyline, which will see their characters' baby diagnosed with Edwards’ syndrome.
Edwards’ syndrome is a rare genetic condition where a person has extra copies of a chromosome. There is no current long-treatment for the severe condition and children diagnosed with it do not often live beyond the first few years of their life.
EastEnders ’ Whitney was overjoyed when she found out she was expecting a baby, and later revealed it came about following a one night stand with Zack. However, spoilers for next week have already revealed she is given worrying after going for an ultrasound.
Kat supports a worried Whitney (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)EastEnders has now announced they have been working alongside SOFT UK and Antenatal Results and Choices on the new storyline to maintain accuracy and raise awareness of Edwards’ Syndrome.
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Whitney and Zack receive the diagnosis later this month when an ultrasound scan identifies a birth defect which prompts further testing.
Around 3 in every 10,000 births in the UK are affected by Edwards' syndrome each year and the heartbreaking storyline will portray the tough decisions that prospective parents are faced with following a diagnosis.
EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said it was ‘imperative’ for the soap to seek out Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK to work alongside on the storyline.
Zack has been diagnosed with HIV (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)Chris said: “Shona and James’ performances have thoughtfully portrayed the realities of the diagnosis and the decision making process with compassion and understanding.
“We hope that this story resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively, and as accurately as possible.”
Jan Fowler, Chair at SOFT UK said: “At SOFT UK, we support families impacted by Edwards’ or Patau’s Syndrome and we were pleased to be able to work with the EastEnders team on how they could approach the story of Whitney and Zack’s baby’s diagnosis of Edwards’ Syndrome in an accurate and sensitive way.
“We provide parents with comprehensive advice and support whether they decide to end their pregnancy or to continue.
Whitney is horrified by the news (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)“We also support families whose living children have Edwards’ or Patau’s.”
Jane Fisher, Director at Antenatal Results and Choices said: “At ARC we hear daily from expectant parents dealing with the shock of being told their baby is not developing as expected, as is sadly the case for those who receive an Edwards’ Syndrome diagnosis.
“This is a distressing and often isolating time for expectant parents as they try and navigate their next steps in a state of emotional turmoil and it’s rarely spoken about.
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“Well done EastEnders for tackling this difficult subject and we are pleased they involved us to help them treat the storyline with such sensitivity and compassion.”