EASTENDERS icon Jack Ryder has revealed if he’ll be making a ghostly return to Albert Square 23 years after he was killed off on Christmas Day.
The 44-year-old actor played heartthrob Jamie Mitchell for four years, before quitting the soap to pursue new projects.
Jack Ryder isn’t ruling out an EastEnders return
Jack as Jamie Mitchell, who he played between 1998 and 2002Credit: PA:Press Association
His soap death was a devastating affair, dying in girlfriend Sonia’s arms in hospital after being struck by careless driver Martin Fowler’s car.
It’s not unheard of for deceased fan favourites to come back in dream sequences or as ghostly visions, and remains open-minded.
He tells The Sun: “There have been whispers about me going back, things I’ve read in the press or heard in passing in the industry, but I don’t know how authentic they are.
“I’m always open to conversations, especially artistic ones, because you never know how things might evolve or what the wider implications could be.
“One thing I’ve learned over the course of my career is that I was more sheltered when I was younger and perhaps more selective.”
Speaking on behalf of Zingo Bingo , he continues: “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more open-minded. But the reality is that the character very clearly died on screen, in hospital, and that’s an important part of the conversation.”
Though Jack’s career has seen him leave soapland behind for a successful run on the theatre stage as both an actor and director, he’s not averse to the idea of returning to the type of show that made him famous.
He’s kept one foot in the TV world over the years, having had a recurring role in as Evan Crowhurst, appeared in and Doctors.
He also stepped into an iconic radio soap back in 2008, playing Ryan in The Archers over 11 episodes.
“I’m open to it, but at this stage of my life, my family is my priority,” he says.
“The level of commitment a soap requires, and potentially having to move away, would be a big decision. I’ve learned that it’s important to stay open-minded, though.”
Jack’s work on the stage saw him impress ‘s , and the pair formed a strong working relationship.
He was the assistant director on Gary’s musical The Girls, before co-directing the pop group’s musical The Band.
Unlike some sex symbols, Jack was never into the wild parties and trappings of fame.
In the early noughties, Jack married Hear’Say star , spending seven years as man and wife before they divorced in 2009.
It became clear to Kym during the relationship they were very different people.
Jack didn’t like the spotlight or glitzy events, nor did he drink alcohol.
Kym once said: “It became clear that not only did Jack not like drinking, but he didn’t seem to like other people drinking either. I’d never been a massive boozer but I did enjoy a few glasses of wine or Bacardi and Coke. After we got together, though, I felt I should cut all that out.
“It wasn’t long before I figured out that he hated things like premieres and awards ceremonies. So instead Jack and I stayed in most evenings and watched films. There were times when I’d think, ‘Here I am, in London in my mid-20s and I could go to any club I wanted, but I’m sitting here watching Star Wars again’.”
Jack went on to have a daughter called Marnie with girlfriend Ella in 2020 and the family split their time between France and London.
Jamie died in heartbreaking scenes after being hit by a carCredit: BBC
Jack became a first time dad in 2020Credit: instagram
He was married to Kym Marsh in the early noughtiesCredit: Rex Features
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
