EastEnders fans were left stunned by the transformation of Jack Ryder, who portrayed Jamie Mitchell in the soap, two decades after his departure. The actor was just 17 when he first appeared as the charming mechanic, whose character tragically died on Christmas Day. 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 ti.