EX-EastEnders star Jack Ryder is totally unrecognisable 22 years after leaving the soap – after walking away from the limelight.
The now 43-year-old star shot to fame in 1998 as lovable market trader Jamie Mitchell, becoming a heartthrob to many at 17 as he wooed Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy).
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However, his time on EastEnders ended in tragedy when his character was dramatically killed on Christmas Day 2002.
Run over by love rival Martin Fowler, who was on his phone and driving while disqualified, Jamie was seen suffering liver damage, with his loved ones – including Peggy Mitchell, godfather Phil Mitchell and Sonia, saying goodbye before he died.
The scene remains one of the most-watched moments in soap history, with over 20 million people tuning in to bid the character farewell.
The scenes won Best Exit at the British Soap Awards the following year.
Fast forward to 2024, and Jack is now dabbling in multiple things, though still keeps his creative flair.
Now rid of his signature highlighted-blonde locks, Jack now sports a shorter cropped style that’s started going grey.
He also now sports a brown/grey beard.
Jack has become a novelist, releasing four children’s books including Voyage to Mermaid Mountain in July 2024.
He’s also become a director both of stage and screen, including The Full Monty joining forces with Gary Barlow and Take That’s team to co-direct West End show The Band, based on the group’s success.
Away from the limelight, Jack is now settled with long-time partner Ella, with whom he has a daughter called Marnie, who was born in 2021.
The star has been sharing updates on his life with his daughter, calling them “my everything” on pictures.
He was previously married to Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh, with the pair tying the knot in 2002 but splitting in 2009.
Jack also still acts, and in 2018 joined the cast of Holby City as Consultant General Surgeon Evan Crowhurst – proving to be an instant hit.
In 2023, he appeared in Silent Witness, and next year he’s due to appear in movie Semolina Pilchard, which follows a terminally ill Liverpool gangster who summons his eldest daughter back home.
However, her return is not a welcome one, with his youngest daughter determined to eliminate her so she can inherit his immense wealth.
In 2021, Jack appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to talk about his new children’s book after becoming a father for the first time during lockdown.
He shared: “She’s doing great, parenting is a mixed bag – as soon as you think you’ve nailed it something happens.
“But we’re absolutely relishing being parents.”
Ryder also told Lorraine he still speaks to his former co-stars Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) and Dean Gaffney (Sonia Jackson).
He also spoke about what it was like coping with fame, adding: “The fame side was tough to cope with at that time and at that age, but I just kept my head down and got on with the work.”
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