EastEnders’ Jamie Mitchell star Jack Ryder is unrecognisable 22 years since quitting soap
EastEnders actor Jack Ryder - who played heartthrob Jamie Mitchell on the BBC One soap opera - looks very different 22 years later. The 43 year old soared to stardom in 1998 when was aged just 17 and he left Albert Square in 2002 aged 21 after his character was dramatically killed off. He was often dubbed as "a mini David Beckham" because of his floppy curtain hairstyle and good looks.
But fans can't get over how much he's changed over the years. Back in December 2022, he shared a picture on his Instagram. Sporting a plaid shirt and a stubble beard, Jack captioned the snap: "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!"
Taking to the comment section, one fan wrote: "Yikes I cant believe how old he looks." While another advised: "Reckon you should rock the curtains again Jack." Others were more complimentary, with one fan replying: 'Brilliant photo" while another gushed: "Love you, bro".
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Jack previously reflected on finding fame at such an early age. He said: "No one can prepare you for it, at that time, it was before Facebook, Instagram and the social media world. It was the last golden era of TV... my last episode, I think it got something like 25million viewers! Yeah, it was a big time.
"But I loved the work, the fame side was tough to cope with at that age, I had a great family and great friends, so I just sort of kept my head down and got on with everything."
Jack revealed that he still keeps in touch with some of his former co-stars, which include the likes of Robbie Jackson star Dean Gaffney, Sonia Fowler actress Natalie Cassidy and Phil Mitchell legend Steve McFadden. He sweetly said: "We are all loosely in touch, we have a lot of fond memories together."
Since finding fame on EastEnders, the actor has turned his attentions to directing several West End productions and he said it has been "lovely" spending time behind-the-scenes. He's also written four successful children's books with the latest, Voyage To Mermaid Mountain, released back in July.
He has spoken about welcoming a "lockdown baby" as daughter Marnie was born during the height of the pandemic.
