EastEnders star Jack Ryder has announced he is leaving the hit BBC soap opera after four years. Jack, who plays Jamie Mitchell, said it was a tough decision, but he wanted to try his hand at other roles. The 20-year-old actor will leave the show in November when his contract expires, although he will continue to feature in episodes until February 2003.
“I have decided to leave EastEnders after four fantastic years to pursue other projects,” Jack said. “It has not been an easy decision to make but I felt it was time for me to build on the experience the show has given me and play other parts. Eastenders gave me the best opportunity a young actor could have dreamed of, and I will always be grateful to them for that.”
The show’s executive producer, John Ryder, said Jack had made a great contribution to the show. “We will be very sorry to see him go,” he said, “but we wish him all the best for the future.”
The news comes ahead of fellow EastEnder Martin Kemp’s final appearance as shady Steve Owen, the character he has played since 1998. Martin and his screen wife Tamzin Outhwaite announced their departures last year. Earlier this month, the BBC also revealed that Michael Greco, who plays Beppe di Marco, is to bid farewell to Albert Square this summer. The corporation say the popular character had “run its course”.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
