EastEnders: Jack Ryder is unrecognisable from character Jamie Mitchell

EastEnders actor Jack Ryder looks unrecognisable from his former character Jamie Mitchell 20 years after he was killed off of BBC soap

EastEnders fans have been left shocked at how different former cast member Jack Ryder looks today, 24 years after he first appeared on the soap.

The actor – who was known for his boyish good looks and floppy curtains – made his Albert Square debut in November 1998 at the age of 17, before leaving the BBC serial in December 2002.

Jack is now 41 and he has transformed his image since his last Walford scenes, which saw his character tragically killed in a car accident.

Time goes on: EastEnders fans have been left shocked at how different former cast member Jack Ryder looks today (left), 24 years after he first appeared on the soap (pictured right in 1998 for the soap)

Taking to Instagram recently to share his gratitude after being invited to give a masterclass for homeless people’s professional theatre company Cardboard Citizens, Jack shared a picture of himself along with his message.

He could be seen wearing a black and red plaid shirt while his brown hair having ben trimmed into a short style, his floppy blonde locks nowhere to be seen.

Jack, who was previously married to former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Kym Marsh, sported some designer stubble, whereas he was much more smooth-faced during his soap days.

Looking back: The actor – who was known for his boyish good looks and floppy curtains – made his Albert Square debut in November 1998 at the age of 17 (pictured in 2000)

Maturing: Jack is now 41 and he has transformed his image since his last Walford scenes, which saw his character tragically killed in a car accident

Taking to the comments section of Jack’s Instagram posts, one person wrote: ‘Yikes I cant believe how old he looks.’

Someone else posted: ‘Reckon you should rock the curtains again Jack.’

However, Jack also received some complimentary messages, including one which read: ‘I think you look great, Jack all of us get older eventually, I remember your boyish good looks when I did watch soaps now I don’t… 

Past relationship: Jack was previously married to former Hear’Say singer Kym Marsh from 2002 to 2009 (pictured in 2001)

On screen: Jack played Jamie, a member of the Mitchell clan, on EastEnders (pictured as Jamie with Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy in 2000)

Heartfelt words: Earlier this year Jack paid tribute to his EastEnders character Jamie to mark 20 years since he left the soap

‘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, sharing a picture of him standing on Albert Square on his Instagram page to mark 20 years since he left the soap.

He wrote: ‘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. 

‘When I really think back, everything I am and do was all born out of that experience. There were tough times to be sure. Challenging times. But never on that set with those wonderful people. I will forever be grateful.’

Grateful: ‘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 a young age,’ Jack wrote of the soap (pictured in 2002)

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