The EastEnders<\/a> actor, 38, who plays Zack Hudson in the BBC<\/a> One soap, became visibly emotional in a moving video tribute shared online to Keeley on Thursday.<\/p>\n In the heartbreaking video which he posted on his Instagram<\/a>, James spoke about how much of a true friend Keeley was to him throughout his journey in acting and admitted that he would be nowhere without her belief in him.<\/p>\n Speaking to the camera on Thursday, a grieving and emotional James gushed: “Keely Silvester, you changed my life as you did for so many lads,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n READ MORE: EastEnders star Brian Conley broke down in tears over hypnotist’s unusual instruction<\/a>READ MORE: Zoe Slater makes shock ‘early EastEnders return’ as she finally meets brother Tommy<\/a><\/p>\n Choking back tears, the soap star continued: “I remember the day I walked into Mortimer Street and you were sat on the end of 20 bookers. You said, what do you want, what do you need? I explained, I said I didn\u2019t really fancy the modelling. You made me feel like I was part of something. There\u2019s nothing better than feeling part of something.”<\/p>\n Recalling their close bond, James said: “Keely\u2019s been at our wedding. She was at my engagement to Ali. She was here the first few weeks of Summer being born.<\/p>\n “We shared some of life\u2019s biggest highs and lows together … bless you for being kind at the same time as being one of the most incredible agents that I think the world<\/a> has had.\u201d<\/p>\n He also criticised outdated industry advice as he said: “I got told at drama school, don\u2019t be friends with your agents. It\u2019s the worst bit of advice I\u2019ve ever received. These people are a big part of your life, and there needs to be a connection.”<\/p>\n Keeley, who had a successful career representing major names like David Gandy and Paul Sculfor, was remembered by James as both a mentor and a maternal figure.<\/p>\n Continuing his gushing tribute to his late friend, James said: “I often went back to my mum and said, Select are really looking after me and that one particular lady, her name is Keeley, and she reminds me of you. The fact that I felt like you looked after me like a mother would. It was inspiring.”<\/p>\n Speaking of her legacy, he added: “I want my little Summer girl to watch the likes of you. Where you can be kind and successful at the same time, I think we\u2019re forgetting that in this world.<\/p>\n “You were the perfect example early on in my career of what I needed to do – step into rooms, be good. Don\u2019t just be very good, but be very nice, be kind. Thank you, Keely Silvester. Your boy should be proud cause the Select boys certainly are.”<\/p>\n Keely\u2019s family thanked James for his beautiful tribute, writing: “Thank you so much James for the beautiful words.”<\/p>\n James, who joined EastEnders in 2021, is best known for playing Zack Hudson, with major plotlines including a dramatic romance with Whitney Dean and an HIV diagnosis storyline that earned praise for its emotional depth.<\/p>\n Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok <\/a>, Snapchat <\/a>, Instagram <\/a>, Twitter <\/a>, Facebook <\/a>, YouTube <\/a>and Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Shop Dani Dyer\u2019s butter yellow midi dress as she announces Strictly news on The One Show<\/a>![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_EE-star-breaks-down-in-tears-in-emotional-video.jpg\")
James paid a gushing tribute to his late friend and agent(Image: Instagram\/ @jamescfarrar)<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756562303_179_0_EE-star-breaks-down-in-tears-in-emotional-video.jpg\")
James became emotional while speaking about Keeley(Image: Instagram\/ @jamescfarrar)<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_519636TITLEEastEnders.jpg\")
James plays Zack Hudson on EastEnders(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n