EastEnders: Jack Ryder is unrecognisable from character Jamie Mitchell
EastEnders actor Jack Ryder looks unrecognizable from his old character, Jamie Mitchell, 20 years after he was killed off on the BBC soap.
EastEnders fans have been left in shock by how differently former cast member Jack Ryder looks today, 24 years after his first appearance on the soap.
The actor, known for his boyish good looks and flexible drapes, made his Albert Square debut in November 1998 at the age of 17, before leaving the BBC series in December 2002.
Jack is now 41 years old and has transformed his image since his last scenes in Walford, in which he saw his character die tragically in a car accident.
Time passes: EastEnders fans have been left shocked by how differently former cast member Jack Ryder looks today (left), 24 years after his first appearance on the soap (pictured right in 1998 for the soap opera)
Taking to Instagram recently to share his gratitude after being invited to give a master class for professional homeless theater company Cardboard Citizens, Jack shared a photo of himself along with his message.
He could be seen wearing a black and red checkered shirt while his brown hair had been cut into a short style, his loose blonde locks nowhere to be seen.
Jack, who was previously married to former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kym Marsh, sported a designer beard, while his face was much smoother during his soap opera days.
Looking back: The actor, known for his boyish good looks and flexible drapery, made his Albert Square debut in November 1998 at the age of 17 (pictured in 2000)
Maturation: Jack is now 41 years old and has transformed his image since his last scenes in Walford, in which he watched his character die tragically in a car accident.
In the comments section of Jack’s Instagram posts, one person wrote: “Wow, I can’t believe how old he is.”
Someone else posted: ‘I think you should shake the curtains again, Jack.’
However, Jack also received some complimentary messages, including one that read: “I think you look great, Jack we all get old with time, I remember your youthful good looks when I watched soap operas now that I don’t…
Past Relationship: Jack was previously married to former Hear’Say singer Kym Marsh from 2002 to 2009.
On screen: Jack played Jamie, a member of the Mitchell clan, in EastEnders (played as Jamie with Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy in 2000)
Candid words: Earlier this year, Jack paid tribute to his EastEnders character Jamie to mark 20 years since he left the soap.
‘I wish you good health and I hope you have been doing things that make you happy.’
While someone else simply shared, “I still think you’re hot.”
Earlier this year, Jack paid tribute to his EastEnders character Jamie by sharing a photo of him standing in Albert Square on his Instagram page to mark 20 years since he left the soap.
He wrote: ‘Once to Mitchell… This year marks 20 years since I left Eastenders. I owe a lot to the people there for giving me such an opportunity at such a young age.
“When I really think back, everything I am and do was born out of that experience. There were hard times to be sure. Challenging times. But never on that set with those wonderful people. I will always be grateful.’
Grateful: ‘Once a Mitchell. This year marks 20 years since I left Eastenders. I owe a lot to the people there for giving me such an opportunity at a young age,” Jack wrote of the soap opera (pictured in 2002).