We recently reported that Jack Ryder (better known as Jamie Mitchell from Eastenders), had landed a role in ITV’s new daytime drama, The Royal Today.

The Sun newspaper has reported today that Jack has quit his new role before his first episode has even aired.

Ryder reportedly made the decision because he felt “too young” in his new role and “out of depth” during rehearsals.

He told The Sun: “It’s been a difficult decision but it is the right one for me and the series.”

An exhausted Dr Goodwin (Paul Fox) returns from Africa, with the Biafran orphan, Nkeshi (Reni Oluwadare), in tow. His colleagues at The Royal are relieved to see him back safe but are shocked when they discover that he has smuggled Nkeshi back illegally.

Raising the hospital’s profile, Carnegie (Robert Cavanah) is showing off the new private wing of the hospital and everyone is impressed except Ormerod and Matron (Wendy Craig) who disagree with the privileged getting priority treatment. Carnegie has arranged an opening ceremony for the new wing the following day with the Mayor of Elsinby. Will the ceremony go as planned?

Meanwhile, it’s Dr Weatherill’s (Amy Robbins) first day back at work and her first patient is alcoholic Jimmy Beattie (Tony Maudsley). Despite her best efforts to try and detoxify him, it proves an impossible task. When she later finds Jimmy inebriated at the bar, Weatherill is at a loss about how she can help him when he’s not willing to look after himself for the sake of his family. Read more & comment »