EastEnders fans shocked by Ryder star's real age as big story begins

EastEnders fans have been shocked since learning Ryder Hawkins star Felix Uff's real age. Ryder arrived in Walford in August alongside his parents, Ned and Gemma Hawkins, sister Megan, and grandmother Rose Hawkins.

He has largely been a side character in the soap, until he opened up to his aunt Nicola Mitchell and admitted he was gay, kicking off his huge new storyline.

Ryder is presented as someone who is in his early twenties, but in fact, Felix is 32 years old.

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Speculation about Felix's age arose among fans after they tried to guess how old Ryder is meant to be, as it has not been confirmed in the BBC soap.

On a Digital Spy forum post about the character, one user speculated: "I think Ryder is meant to be a similar age to Harry, about 23/24."

Another thought: "Ned and Gemma said they first met in 1994, so the earliest Ryder could have been born is late 94 or early 95. Which would place him at early 30s, which is the actor’s age.

"If Ned was gallivanting around Spain and Amsterdam with Alfie in 2018 then it would make sense that Ryder was grown up by then, rather than Ned leaving Gemma at home with a child while he was off doing that."

On X, one user wrote: "Biggest #eastenders mystery forget NY27 it is……. How old is Ryder Nicola calls him kid and I know characters don’t usually match their real life ages like Oscar and Ivani but look believable whereas Ryder is 32 IRL and he doesn’t give off early 20’s pals with the twins vibe."

It comes as Ryder's storyline exploring his sexuality begins, though some family members won't be supportive.

Confiding his secret to Nicola, he admitted he was concerned about his dad finding out, given his strict and controlling nature.

After receiving encouragement from Nicola, he meets up with the mysterious man he has been chatting to online, but Ned spots the pair kissing and appears enraged.

Next week, Nicola will encourage Ryder to open up to his mum about his sexuality, though as they are about to chat, Ned overhears and muscles in.

The storyline will see him continue to cruelly push his son to repress his identity and conform with what Ned wants for his life.

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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