Former EastEnders heartthrob Jack Ryder has revealed the struggle he faced with fame during his time on the soap, as well as the secret that his father is a famous pop star. Ryder, who played Jamie Mitchell from 1998 to 2002, was a teenage pin-up often compared to David Beckham.
The actor admitted he loved the work but found the attention difficult. "What I struggled with was the fame and the world outside the gates," he told The Sun. His father, Jeremy Allan Ryder, known as Jack Hues, is the frontman of 1980s band Wang Chung, best known for their hit 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight'. Ryder told the Daily Mail that he and his father have discussed their shared dislike of fame.
Ryder's departure from EastEnders was controversial. Initially told the door would be left open for a return, incoming producer Louise Berridge decided to kill off the character. Jamie died in a car accident on Christmas Day 2002, leaving millions of viewers in tears. Ryder admitted he was shocked by the decision but accepted it.
During his time on the soap, Ryder faced a potential £20,000 fine for breaching BBC rules on commercial endorsement. After leaving, he appeared in pantomime and won Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes with a Justin Timberlake performance. He also dated Hear'Say singer Kym Marsh, who recalled being surprised by his youthful appearance.
