Women can be naughty too!
EastEnders star Louisa Lytton tells us why her own love life couldn’t be further from that of her soap alter ego
EastEnders fans have watched actress Louisa Lytton grow up in front of their eyes. After joining the soap aged just 15 as gangster Johnny Allen’s daughter Ruby, she bowed out in 2006, going on to star in a number of stage and screen roles.
She also took to the Strictly dance floor when she was just 17 years old and is still the youngest competitor to date. But last year, the now 30 year old made her big soap comeback. And not only has she won viewers’ praise for her sexual consent storyline, but she’s gone on to become one half of Walford’s latest power couple alongside Max Branning.
However, as TV fans know, when it comes to soapland, the course of true love never runs smooth and Ruby recently bedded best friend Stacey’s ex Martin. Fortunately, Louisa’s own love life is much less dramatic.
Her partner Ben Bhanvra got down on one knee in May and they’ve been busy making plans for their dream big day.
We caught up with Louisa to chat about returning to Albert Square, why she plans to take her foot off the pedal this Christmas, and why she won’t be channelling her Strictly skills when it comes to her first dance…
You’ve been back on EastEnders for over a year now. Does it feel like you’ve never been away?
It really does. I settled in within the first few days. I’ve been out there working for 15 years and have experienced so much, so now I’m here again, I can really enjoy this job for what it is. It’s so funny because people thought that I had just picked up the phone and said,“I want to come back now,”but obviously it doesn’t work like that.
You were 15 when you joined. What’s it been like growing up in the spotlight?
It’s not really caused me any trouble. When I was growing up in this show as a teenager, we didn’t have social media so it was totally different. I always think that if I’d been 15 and joined the show with Twitter and Instagram around, I might have reacted differently. But now I’m an adult, I see it for exactly what it is.
Ruby’s done the dirty on Max, rather than the other way round…
I quite liked that and I think Max is shocked that someone has done to him what he’s done to so many women in the past. Ruby has been through a lot and off the back of it, she’s regained her confidence. It’s showing that women are also capable of doing what they want, which can only be a positive thing. But I don’t know how well it will go down that it’s Martin!
Did that come out of the blue when you read the scripts?
Ruby’s always had a soft spot for Martin and obviously Stacey’s gone away and she hasn’t heard a word from her…
How do you think Stacey will react?
She’d be really hurt and upset. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens as it will be a really explosive storyline.
Are you looking forward to Lacey Turner’s return?
I can’t wait to have her back. My whole experience at EastEnders has always been with Lacey, so it’s been strange the past few months without her here. But she only lives up the road and I visit her often.
What else would you like to see for Ruby in the future?
I’d really like her to have a long-lost relative. It’s always remembered that she’s the gangster’s daughter, but if a long-lost brother or sister came in, it gives her that extra connection. I would also like to see her in a proper relationship where she falls in love and lets her barriers down.
Albert Square is notoriously bleak at Christmas, but hopefully you have nicer plans?
This year, me and my parents are going up to stay in York with my fiancé Ben and his family, which will be lovely. I’m an only child, so I can’t ever leave Mum and Dad. It’s the first time I’ve ever spent Christmas with my family and my partner’s too, so I can’t wait.
Do you have any family traditions?
For us, it’s all about the big family Christmas. It will be strange changing it this year, but I’m getting married soon, so I’ve got to start doing that. And, of course, I’ve watched the show on Christmas Day ever since I was a child.
Will you be having a Christmas party with the rest of the EastEnders cast, too?
We have a party at the BBC on the day that we break up for the holidays. It’s always really nice to socialise with everyone that I don’t usually get to see.
How is wedding planning going?
I’ve done a lot of it already. I’m really organised. I’ve never been the sort of person who even thought about getting married, so it’s not like I had a to-do list set up. I don’t even have Pinterest! But we’ll have a break on the wedding plans over Christmas and then finish off next year.
You’ve been on Strictly, so at least your first dance is sorted…
Everyone says that and asks, “Are you going to do a big choreographed routine?” But we’re not. It was amazing to return for the Strictly Children In Need special recently, though. It’s something that you think is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so to have the chance to do it again was great.
Which other co-stars would you like to see on the dance floor?
Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney. She’s so beautiful and talented, so she’d be brilliant. Also Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay. I don’t know if he has secret moves, but I’d love to see him wearing the sequins!