EastEnders' Louisa Lytton reveals why she was 'shocked' to be asked back
She hadn't been on the soap in 12 years
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 5th Oct 2018
EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton has returned to Walford to play Ruby Allen after 12 years away to be reunited with her pal Stacey Slater. The 29-year-old, who was just 16 when she first joined the cast back in 2005, was back on the small screen two weeks ago after mysteriously leading Stacey to meet her in the E20 nightclub.
Of course, fans of the soap have been told in advance that the reason for Ruby's return is to explore a storyline around rape and consent in scenes which will air next Monday (8th Oct).
Ruby initially departed the soap in 2006 after her gangster father, Johnny Allen, was killed following a heart attack in prison. She was last scene leaving the square in a black cab, clutching her father's ashes in an urn.
The actress has now revealed to Metro.co.uk that she was surprised to be asked back to the soap after such a long time, saying, "In my head, obviously I’d always have loved to go back to the show because it was where I started out, but it had been so long that it was never an option in my head anymore.
"I genuinely never thought about it being an option, especially because my dad had died in the show."
Swipe through to see all the EastEnders spoilers you need to know for next week...
A big night at the E20
It's Martin Fowler's school reunion at the E20 and after his pleading a reluctant Stacey agrees to join him.
EastEnders' Louisa Lytton reveals why she was 'shocked' to be asked back
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Elsewhere...
Billy Mitchell sees an opportunity to meddle in Honey's love life but he soon realises his plan has failed. Later, a jealous Billy watches on as Adam gifts Honey a book from his trip away and later at work, Mel advises Billy to let go or get his heart broken!
A big night at the E20
It's Martin Fowler's school reunion at the E20 and after his pleading a reluctant Stacey agrees to join him.
To persuade Stacey to come along, Martin suggests she invited her BFF Ruby Allen.
Ruby agrees to join them and the girls prepare for a big night out in Walford.
As the night commences, Ruby gets acquainted with some of Martin's friends; Matt, Glenn and Ross.
With the drinks flowing, Ruby and Martin's friends flirt and Ruby takes a particular shine to Ross.
Ruby and Ross get close on the dancefloor.
With the night coming to an end, Stacey and Martin depart leaving Ruby to continue the party without them.
Elsewhere...
After telling Mel Owen he is busy, Ray Kelly overhears Carmel Kazemi's conversation on trying to reduce knife crime and suggests they meet to discuss ideas at The Vic. Mel doesn't seem too pleased.
Mel spots Jack Branning at the bar and tells him Ray is sticking to his story about how he hurt his hand. However, Jack has some information for Mel, which may lead her to question Ray further.
Later...
Later, Mel pays Jack a visit asking him to find out more.
She hands Jack money saying she wants him to look into Ray as a job, not as a favour to her.
The morning after the night before
After making breakfast plans the night before, Martin and his friends meet to catch up on the night's antics.
Ruby also turns up at Stacey's having been out all night. Stacey is keen to find out what happened after she and Martin left the party.
After looking a little worse for wear, Ruby and Stacey head off. Stacey and Ruby stop off at the chemist where Stacey overhears Ruby asking for the morning after pill. Sensing something is wrong, Stacey invites Ruby back to hers when Ruby tells her she slept with Ross before passing out.
But Ruby then tells Stacey that when she woke up, Matt was on top of her, not Ross. Ruby blames herself for being drunk, but best friend Stacey comforts her and insists she did nothing wrong. Stacey tells Ruby she was raped.
Meanwhile...
Martin hears a different version of events from Ross, Matt and Glen.
Martin hears that Ruby slept with both Ross and Matt. At first, Martin questions his friends' actions but they soon reassure him it was consensual.
Later, Stacey worries when she can't get hold of Ruby after hearing Martin's friends maintaining that it was all consensual. Martin and Stacey clash and Stacey heads to the police station for advice on the situation.
After finally tracking down Ruby, Stacey - still pained by memories of her own horrific ordeal - tells Ruby there's still time to go to the clinic. She also says she can then decide whether she wants to go to the police. Ruby agrees and visits the clinic.
Mel is thrilled when Ray gives her an anniversary surprise but her mind soon turns when Jack reveals he has some information for her about Ray.
Despite presenting Mel with his findings, she tells Jack she trusts Ray and doesn't want to know what he's dug up.
Uh-oh!
Jack and Mel are unaware Ray is watching them from across the street. Later, after Ray had taken an urgent phone call and gone missing when he and Mel were having a drink in The Vic, Mel puts two and two together and realises where Ray went. As she goes to find him, she makes a shocking discovery :O.
Bernadette is left in a tricky situation when Whitney asks her to keep Tiffany away from Jagger. After putting her foot in it with Tiffany by badmouthing Jagger, Bernadette tries to make it up to her but ends up humiliated when Tiffany invites her to hang out with the gang.
Martin and Stacey are still not on the same page about Ruby's situation. Martin seeks advice from Kush on what to do but is warned not to get involved.
Still reeling from her discovery, Mel warns Ray to stay away but soon has a change of heart.
Mel invites Ray over for a romantic dinner and has an exciting proposition for him.
Elsewhere...
Billy Mitchell sees an opportunity to meddle in Honey's love life but he soon realises his plan has failed. Later, a jealous Billy watches on as Adam gifts Honey a book from his trip away and later at work, Mel advises Billy to let go or get his heart broken!
A big night at the E20
It's Martin Fowler's school reunion at the E20 and after his pleading a reluctant Stacey agrees to join him.
To persuade Stacey to come along, Martin suggests she invited her BFF Ruby Allen.
Ruby agrees to join them and the girls prepare for a big night out in Walford.
As the night commences, Ruby gets acquainted with some of Martin's friends; Matt, Glenn and Ross.
With the drinks flowing, Ruby and Martin's friends flirt and Ruby takes a particular shine to Ross.
Ruby and Ross get close on the dancefloor.
With the night coming to an end, Stacey and Martin depart leaving Ruby to continue the party without them.
Elsewhere...
After telling Mel Owen he is busy, Ray Kelly overhears Carmel Kazemi's conversation on trying to reduce knife crime and suggests they meet to discuss ideas at The Vic. Mel doesn't seem too pleased.
Mel spots Jack Branning at the bar and tells him Ray is sticking to his story about how he hurt his hand. However, Jack has some information for Mel, which may lead her to question Ray further.
Later...
Later, Mel pays Jack a visit asking him to find out more.
She hands Jack money saying she wants him to look into Ray as a job, not as a favour to her.
The morning after the night before
After making breakfast plans the night before, Martin and his friends meet to catch up on the night's antics.
Ruby also turns up at Stacey's having been out all night. Stacey is keen to find out what happened after she and Martin left the party.
After looking a little worse for wear, Ruby and Stacey head off. Stacey and Ruby stop off at the chemist where Stacey overhears Ruby asking for the morning after pill. Sensing something is wrong, Stacey invites Ruby back to hers when Ruby tells her she slept with Ross before passing out.
But Ruby then tells Stacey that when she woke up, Matt was on top of her, not Ross. Ruby blames herself for being drunk, but best friend Stacey comforts her and insists she did nothing wrong. Stacey tells Ruby she was raped.
Meanwhile...
Martin hears a different version of events from Ross, Matt and Glen.
Martin hears that Ruby slept with both Ross and Matt. At first, Martin questions his friends' actions but they soon reassure him it was consensual.
Later, Stacey worries when she can't get hold of Ruby after hearing Martin's friends maintaining that it was all consensual. Martin and Stacey clash and Stacey heads to the police station for advice on the situation.
After finally tracking down Ruby, Stacey - still pained by memories of her own horrific ordeal - tells Ruby there's still time to go to the clinic. She also says she can then decide whether she wants to go to the police. Ruby agrees and visits the clinic.
Mel is thrilled when Ray gives her an anniversary surprise but her mind soon turns when Jack reveals he has some information for her about Ray.
Despite presenting Mel with his findings, she tells Jack she trusts Ray and doesn't want to know what he's dug up.
Uh-oh!
Jack and Mel are unaware Ray is watching them from across the street. Later, after Ray had taken an urgent phone call and gone missing when he and Mel were having a drink in The Vic, Mel puts two and two together and realises where Ray went. As she goes to find him, she makes a shocking discovery :O.
Bernadette is left in a tricky situation when Whitney asks her to keep Tiffany away from Jagger. After putting her foot in it with Tiffany by badmouthing Jagger, Bernadette tries to make it up to her but ends up humiliated when Tiffany invites her to hang out with the gang.
Martin and Stacey are still not on the same page about Ruby's situation. Martin seeks advice from Kush on what to do but is warned not to get involved.
Still reeling from her discovery, Mel warns Ray to stay away but soon has a change of heart.
Mel invites Ray over for a romantic dinner and has an exciting proposition for him.
Elsewhere...
Billy Mitchell sees an opportunity to meddle in Honey's love life but he soon realises his plan has failed. Later, a jealous Billy watches on as Adam gifts Honey a book from his trip away and later at work, Mel advises Billy to let go or get his heart broken!
She also revealed that it was "so nice" to be reunited with Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey. "When we first saw each other in the make-up room, we giggled like schoolgirls for the first ten minutes. It was really weird because I hadn’t seen her for probably about six or seven years and within minutes it was back to day one."
Ruby's storyline will be played out in episodes airing next week. In other Walford news, 'Enders fans were left in hysterics earlier this week after Stuart Highway made a rather embarrassing gaffe - appearing to hold his phone upside down.
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