Ex-EastEnders star Jack Ryder has revealed that the show’s biggest icons used to blank each other off-set. They did so to keep their on-screen feuds as sharp as possible. The actor explained that Steve McFadden and James Alexandrou barely spoke for over a decade. And it proves that the Mitchell and Fowler rivalry was fueled by some serious old-school method acting. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Jack Ryder Reveals A Secret About Two EastEnders Co-Stars
Jack looked back on the years he had spent on the soap. In the same interview, the actor went on to disclose that the families on the show would also act as families after filming was over. The Mitchell bunch were quite close. However, James Alexandrou, who portrayed Martin Fowler, told Jack that he hardly ever talked to Steve McFadden.
Jack shared this while he spoke online for bingo brand Zingo Bingo. He added that Martin and Phil’s relationship only got worse after Jamie’s tragic death in the storyline back in 2002. Martin had accidentally run Jamie over. Later, he even grabbed Phil’s son Ben and held him over a railway bridge. It happened after he accused Phil of taking Sonia away.
Elsewhere, Phil was shown helping Sonia and Rebecca leave the country. It’s because the police believed that Sonia might be behind Pauline’s death. Moroever Jack’s own experience with Steve was very different. Even under a car bonnet, Steve wanted to know exactly what his character would realistically be doing. And Jack learnt a lot from him.
Besides that, when Jack became ill during filming, Steve helped him into his dressing room and looked after him. Jack said that he felt that they were like one big family on the set then. The ex-EastEnders soap also jokes around with Michael Greco, Dean Gaffney and Sean Williamson. But it was different when he did Holby City a few years later. Between scenes, everyone was glued to their phones.
Jack’s Life After Fame
On the other hand, the attention outside work was difficult for Jack. It’s because a group of girls would scream and chase him. People used to tell him that it must have been amazing.
However, the actor preferred quieter moments when someone recognised him, calmed down, and they had a normal chat. He didn’t like people crying, shouting, fainting and huge crowds. Also, Jack received around 20,000 letters each week. It was too much for him to manage.
Elsewhere, Jack has moved towards stage work as an actor and director. He also acted in a radio drama, The Archers. His life now is completely different from what it used to be during her early heartthrob image days. For more EastEnders spoilers and updates, keep following Soap Opera Daily.