SILENT Witness fans were tonight left gobsmacked when an EastEnders’ legend turned up on tonight’s episode.
The hit BBC One crime drama often includes great guest stars that get viewers’ talking, and this evening was no different.
Actor Jack Ryder appeared on tonight’s Silent Witness
The actor shot to fame playing Jamie Mitchell on EastEnders in the late 90s
Fans were left in shock when an “unrecognisable” Jack Ryder popped up on Silent Witness.
It’s been 20 years since the actor’s Walford character Jamie Mitchell was killed off on EastEnders in 2002 and the TV star now looks a world away from his soap days.
Jack, now 39, was the floppy-fringed heartthrob who gained popularity among female fans.
On Silent Witness tonight, the actor took on the role of Frank Turner, who ran a Halfway House for delinquent youths.
Fans couldn’t believe it when he popped up on the show, with one tweeting: “I can’t believe that’s Jamie from Eastenders! he looks totally different!”
While another said: “Wow is that Jamie from EastEnders?!”
This fan commented: “Oh my god, I’m loving Jamie from EastEnders being on Silent witness tonight!”
Meanwhile, actor Jack dramatically left Albert Square when he was run over by a car driven by love rival Martin Fowler.
The scene remains one of the most-watched moments in soap history, with over 20 million people tuning in to bid the character farewell after he was accidentally run over.
The star skyrocketed to heartthrob fame after he became a soap poster-boy at 17 when he joined the soap in 1998.
But it wasn’t just his EastEnders role that put him in the public eye.
During his stint on the show he married former Hear’Say singer turned Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh in 2002.
However their romance didn’t last and the pair divorced in 2009.
Jack has since worked on stage shows including The Full Monty as well as The Girls and The Band, both co-created by Gary Barlow.
In 2018, Jack, who was known for his youthful looks and 90s’ curtains hairstyle, returned to acting and joined the cast of Holby City.
He played the new Consultant General Surgeon Evan Crowhurst and was an instant hit.
He also starred in Kay Mellor’s drama In The Club and a year later, he briefly appeared in Doctors.
He also spent time acting on stage, before ending up behind the camera directing.
He now writes children’s books in addition to being an esteemed director.
Last year, Jack appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to talk about his new children’s book after becoming a father for the first time during lockdown.
He shared: “She’s doing great, parenting is a mixed bag – as soon as you think you’ve nailed it something happens.
“But we’re absolutely relishing being parents.”
Jack also told Lorraine he still speaks to his former co-stars Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) and Dean Gaffney (Sonia Jackson).
He spoke about what it was like coping with fame, adding: “The fame side was tough to cope with at that time and at that age, but I just kept my head down and got on with the work.”
Jack now regularly shares snaps of himself, Ella, and one-year-old Marnie spending time together on social media.
In between family pictures he promotes his children’s book.
In 2018, Jack returned to acting and joined the cast of Holby City
He now writes children’s books in addition to being an esteemed director
