Jack Ryder and Jamie Mitchell from EastEnders comp image (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock/BBC)
Soaps

Jack Ryder: From EastEnders’ Jamie Mitchell to Holby City villain

Jack went on to appear in Doctors and Holby City

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Jack Ryder played Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders between 1998-2002. His exit saw his character’s life end with an untimely death.

Jack has since gone on to appear in a number of popular television shows.

So, who was Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders and where is Jack Ryder now?

Who is Jack Ryder?

Jack Ryder 42 years old. He is an English actor and director born in Woolwich, London.

EastEnders' Jamie Mitchell is looking serious
Jamie appeared in the soap between 1998-2002 (Credit: BBC)

Who was Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders?

Jamie arrived in Walford in 1998. His dad, Charlie was Billy Mitchell’s brother. Charlie had died and Billy was raising him.

But the Billy we know and love now isn’t the same one as back then. Phil Mitchell realised that Billy had been beating him. With this, Phil decided to take him under his wing and bring the youngster up.

Jamie ended up teaching Billy a lesson but eventually forgave him after Billy changed his behaviour.

Falling in love with his teenage crush, Sonia, things were going well until Sonia found out that she was pregnant with Martin Fowler’s baby.

Sonia gave birth to baby Chloe and put her up for adoption, although she later regretted her decision and kidnapped her.

With stress arising between the couple, Jamie managed to see the light at the end of the tunnel and proposed to Sonia. However, the relationship turned sour when Jamie then slept with Zoe Slater.

The pair eventually made up after briefly breaking up, reconfirming their engagement to each other.

EastEnders' Sonia Fowler and Jamie Mitchell - he's in hospital moments before he dies
Jamie’s Christmas Day death was devastating (Credit: BBC)

Jamie’s death in EastEnders

However their love wasn’t to last as in his exit storyline, Jamie was run over by Martin Fowler.

He was rushed to hospital where he came round, but he was not going to survive. Sonia was forced to say her goodbyes to her true love on Christmas Day. He gave her an engagement ring and told her they were meant to be.

After confessing their undying love, Jamie went into cardiac arrest and ultimately died of spleen damage, with Sonia staying with him until the end. Phil cried as he watched from outside. Sam and Peggy were also there as Jamie passed away. Meanwhile, Billy was marrying Little Mo at the time.

Holby City's Evan Crowhurst is looking sinister
Evan stalked Chloe Godard (Credit: BBC)

Jack as Evan Crowhurst in Holby City

In 2019, Jack joined the cast of Holby City as villain Evan Crowhurst. He was in the hospital drama for just over six months.

He also briefly played the role of Sean Wells in the show.

Evan Crowhurst was Chloe Godard’s husband. However, he was abusive and soon enough, Evan became obsessed with stalking Chloe.

At the peak of the storyline, Evan turned up at a cottage where Chloe was staying by herself. He then raped her.

Chloe stabbed Evan, resulting in him being rushed to hospital. Evan started to come round from surgery but Cameron Dunn was furious with what Evan had done.

As Evan’s health started to decline, Cameron kept quiet and looked on. He only called for help when he knew it would be too late for Evan to be saved. Evan then died.

Jamie Mitchell dies in EastEnders
Since his EastEnders exit Jack has starred in other shows (Credit: BBC)

Jack Ryder’s other projects

Jack Ryder has appeared in many popular television shows since leaving EastEnders.

As well as starring in Holby City, Jack has starred in M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team, The Hollow Crown, BBC series In the Club, and Doctors.

Most recently, he appeared in Silent Witness which aired in 2023.

In 2007 he was supposed to be a regular character in new ITV1 daytime series The Royal Today – a spin-off of 60s-set hospital drama The Royal set in the present. However, he withdrew from the role before filming started.

Jack also turned his attention to stage work. He played photographer Laurence in the West End production of Calendar Girls in 2009. He was also the associate director and is still an associate director of the production for all performances world-wide.

Jack was also the associate director of The Full Monty stage show and touring production.

Coronation Street's Kym Marsh is on Lorraine
Jack was married to Kym Marsh (Credit: ITV)

Marriage to Kym Marsh

Jack Ryder is the former husband of Coronation Street and Waterloo Road star, Kym Marsh.

The pair married in 2002 but broke up in 2008.

They officially divorced in 2009.

Jack Ryder smiles
Jack was a teen heartthrob in the 00s (Credit: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Where is Jack Ryder now?

Jack Ryder is currently still acting, with his latest show to air being Silent Witness.

He is now also an author, having written a children’s book series, with Jack’s Secret Summer being the first book he published. His fourth children’s novel, Voyage to Mermaid Mountain will come out in July 2024.

Alongside this, Jack is also an acting coach. He runs The Jack Ryder Sessions, which says it is”a comprehensive and immersive program designed to give every actor the tools they need to get ahead and thrive.”

Jack is a dad-of-one after revealing in 2020 his long-term partner Ella was pregnant. She gave birth in July that year.

Read more: Complete EastEnders cast list for 2023 right here!

Christmas Tearjerker! Jamie Dies on Mo & Billy's Wedding Day | EastEnders

EastEnders usually airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Do you remember Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.


Tamzin Meyer
Assistant Soap Editor