Two decades after the tragic events in which EastEnders star Jack Ryder lost his life as Jamie Mitchell, he appeared to be a world apart from Albert Square.
Two decades after leaving the soap opera, Jack Ryder—who played Jamie Mitchell—had a remarkable metamorphosis that astounded viewers of EastEnders. When the actor made his onscreen debut as the endearing mechanic, whose persona tragically perished on Christmas Day, he was just 17 years old.
Now aged 42, Jack looks unrecognisable from his Albert Square days, as seen in a candid Instagram post shared in 2022.
Dressed in a checkered shirt and sporting a greying beard, Jack captioned the photo: “Fantastic afternoon spending time with the folks over @cardboardcitz in Whitechapel. Such a wonderful team and loved sharing some important insights with its members. Great being back in east London again too!”
However, fans were taken aback by his new look, with many expressing their surprise in the comments section.
One fan exclaimed: “Yikes I cant believe how old he looks,” while another suggested: “Reckon you should rock the curtains again Jack.”
Known for his handsome features and blonde hair, Jack was often likened to a “mini David Beckham” during his EastEnders stint from 1998 to 2002.
In July 2022, Jack shared a throwback photo of himself as Jamie, reflecting: “Once a Mitchell… This year marks 20 years since I left EastEnders. I owe so much to the people there for giving me such an opportunity at such a young age.”
Reflecting on his time on the iconic soap, the actor shared a heartfelt sentiment: “When I really think back, everything I am and do was all born out of that experience. There were tough times to be sure. Challenging times. But never on that set with those wonderful people. I will forever be grateful.”
The post resonated deeply with fans, as one commented: “I’m re-watching the old EastEnders just to see you!” Another fan expressed their emotional attachment to the show, writing: “Still don’t think I’ve ever got over that Christmas Day. Cried my eyes out for hours.”
The shocking storyline saw Jamie accidentally knocked down by Martin Fowler in Walford in a horror car crash which had fans on the edge of their seats.
Jamie’s poignant final moments in the hospital, with Sonia Fowler and Phil Mitchell by his side, left audiences across the nation heartbroken.
Jack, discussing his departure from EastEnders with the Mirror, revealed his surprise at the BBC’s decision to write him out: “I was a bit shocked by their decision.”
He added, clarifying his stance on a potential return: “When I said he was going to leave, they said they would keep the door open. It didn’t really matter either way to me. I wasn’t planning on coming back. At the end of the day, it’s their choice.”
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