EastEnders star Louisa Lytton addresses exit from Ruby role

EastEnders star Louisa Lytton has confirmed her exit from the soap, sharing that she is open to a return in the future.

Lytton made a return to the BBC soap as Ruby Allen back in November, with the actor reprising her role – which she had last played three years prior – in what was billed as a “prolonged stint”.

Over four months on from her return, Lytton confirmed to The Sun that she had recently filmed her final scenes, though the actor did add that the potential for another stint was left on the table.

“I left EastEnders a couple of weeks ago,” said the star, who first played Ruby in 2005. “I was only back for six months, to tie in with the 40th [anniversary] and Martin’s exit.

“It’s always good to come and go – I never see it as a big thing when I leave because I can be back again. It’s all been left open.”

BBC

Lytton’s latest stint saw Ruby return to Walford after a spell behind bars, with the character having given birth to Martin Fowler’s son, Roman, whilst incarcerated. After weeks of tension, the former couple appeared to get back together despite Martin’s feelings for Stacey Slater.

Tragedy struck, however, with Martin tragically passing away after being caught in the dramatic explosion at The Vic. Unbeknownst to Ruby, Martin had confessed his love for Stacey in his final moments, leaving the latter in a moral quandary as she pondered whether to tell the truth.

James Bye, who played Martin for 11 years before his departure in the live episode, recently recalled details from the rehearsal process ahead of the special instalment, sharing that Lacey Turner became emotional as she prepared for his exit.

BBC

“I don’t think she’ll mind me saying this, but Lacey was upset throughout all the rehearsals,” said Bye. “She couldn’t hide the fact she was sobbing. I told her she didn’t need to cry all the time. She said: ‘I can’t help it. I’ve got no control.’”

“Then, at the final rehearsal, I lost it,” he added. “When Stacey walked away to talk to the paramedic, it was like an out-of-body experience. She came back and I had tears pouring down my face.”

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.