EastEnders made reference to the legendary Jamie Mitchell (Jack Ryder) this week but some fans were left a little confused about who exactly he was – and what happened to him.
I know, I can’t fathom not knowing him either.
It’s been over two decades since the much-loved, albeit short-lived, character perished in tragic circumstances. At the time it absolutely broke the nation’s heart, with fans devastated – and I mean devastated – over the heartthrob’s untimely demise.
Jamie received a mention on Tuesday (April 30), with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) recalling his nephew’s death to dad Stevie (Alan Ford), who arrived in Walford to reconnect with his estranged son.
While most EastEnders fans are old enough to remember Jamie or to know who he is by reputation alone, there were a few that struggled to recall the death of one of EastEnders’ most-loved characters.
‘I’m kinda confused,’ said one on Reddit, while another asked if Sonia – Jamie’s one true love – was responsible for his demise. ‘JAMIE MITCHELL?,’ exclaimed another confused fan on Twitter.
If you’d like to know all there is to know about Jamie then you’re in the right place so let me take you on a trip down memory lane as we look at who Jamie was, when was he in Walford – and what happened to him.
Who was Jamie Mitchell?
Jamie Mitchell, the godson of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) was a resident heartthrob on Albert Square in the 90s, leaving the soap at Christmas 2002.
He was taken in by Phil when he arrived in the Square, after it came to light that his uncle Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) was beating him.
After having a one-night stand with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), Jamie and Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) began a relationship, getting engaged twice over the course of their romance.
At one point Jamie was even thought to have fathered a child – baby Chloe, aka Sonia’s daughter Rebecca (Jasmine Armfield) with her – but she turned out to be the daughter of Martin Fowler (whom Sonia had been sleeping with before Jamie).
The relationship came under strain because of this as well as Jamie having a fling with Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).
What happened to Jamie Mitchell?
Despite their troubles Jamie and Sonia were reconciled – but before the pair of them could get married Jamie was knocked down by Martin (played by James Alexandrou at the time), who accidentally ran him over outside Walford East tube station.
A devastated Sonia was by his bedside in hospital before he passed away.
Jamie’s death has been referenced by Martin in recent years, calling it ‘the biggest mistake of his life’.
Who played Jamie Mitchell?
The character was played by actor Jack Ryder.
Ryder, now 42, joined the cast in 1998 – but was killed off in 2002 after he made the decision to quit.
He said at the time: ‘I have decided to leave EastEnders after four fantastic years to pursue other projects. It has not been an easy decision 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.’
Since leaving EastEnders Ryder has appeared as evil Evan Crowhurst in Holby City, as well as playing Grant Hill in another BBC soap, Doctors.
He has worked both in front of and behind the camera as well as working in theatre, with other appearances including ITV drama MIT: Murder Investigation Team as well as in the Britflick Popcorn which was released in 2007.
On stage he appeared in the West End production of Calendar Girls, also serving as assistant director on the show – and was also involved with the stage productions of The Full Monty as well as Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical The Band.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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