Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) soon mets up with old friend Stacey - but what's her real motive for returning to Albert Square?
EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton has said she was shocked when the show’s boss John Yorke phoned her to see if she’d be interested in returning as Ruby Allen after 12 years.
Louisa, who’ll be seen on screen as Ruby next week, reveals that it was a “surreal” experience being back in Albert Square after so long.
She told Digital Spy: “I got a phone call from John Yorke asking if I would like to come back. I haven’t been in the show for 12 years so it came as quite a shock, but it was a great phone call to have and obviously I said yes.
“My first day back was really surreal, because I felt like I came into work and time had not passed. I saw the same people on the reception desk and at the security fate and all the cast and the costume and the make-up team. So many of the same faces that it just made me feel like I hadn’t left.
“It was really, really surreal to step into Ruby’s shoes again because it was the first big job I ever had. It’s just nice to see her in a different light – older and more confident and hopefully viewers warm to her like they did before.”
EastEnders fans have been sent into a frenzy trying to guess her comeback storyline, with theories ranging from she’s after buying The Vic to she had Stacey’s brother Sean’s baby.
We do know that Ruby and Stacey (Lacey Turner) head out for a night out next week at the E20 club.
Louisa added that Ruby was “quite lonely” and keen to rekindle her relationship with Stacey.
After leaving EastEnders, Louisa appeared in the fourth series of Strictly Come Dancing. The actress, who was paired with professional Vincent Simone, was just 17 years old at the time, making her the youngest celebrity to have taken part in the BBC1 show.
She then followed this up with a role in The Bill from 2007-2009, playing PC Beth Green. More recently, she has appeared on stage; last year playing Rizzo in a UK touring production of Grease.
EastEnders continues on BBC1.
