Wood: 'Lucker is a joy to work with'

Jake Wood has praised Zöe Lucker for being a "fantastic addition" to the EastEnders cast.

The actor, who plays Max Branning in the soap, revealed that he enjoys good chemistry with the former Footballers' Wives actress. Lucker's character Vanessa Gold was confirmed earlier this year as Max's love interest.

Wood told Holy Soap: "I'd never met Zöe before, even though she's a friend of another good friend of mine, Kacey Ainsworth, and I think she's a fantastic addition to the show. She's fabulous in the part and we're having fun working together. It's been a joy."

Asked whether sexual scenes are embarrassing to film, he added: "No, you know, it's your job as an actor to make it seem as real as possible.

"He's not a shrinking violet, is he? There have been a few women over the years, but again it's just a job and everyone's professional."