EastEnders star confirms they’re leaving Walford AGAIN but says door has been ‘left open’ to return

Louisa Lytton has confirmed that she has left EastEnders, six months after her surprise return to the BBC soap last year.

The actress, 36, reprised her role as Ruby Allen in November, after exiting the show three years earlier to welcome her daughter Aura, three, with husband Ben Bhanvra.

The return of Ruby brought huge fireworks, as she revealed she had welcomed a secret son, Roman, by ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye).

While the pair eventually reconciled, Martin was then tragically killed off during the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode, having been crushed by a steel beam while rescuing his longtime love Stacey Slater after an explosion at the Queen Vic.

With the beloved character’s funeral approaching, Louisa has now announced she has also said goodbye to Albert Square.

Speaking to The Sun, she confirmed that her return stint was only intended to last until James’ exit as Martin, but teased that the door is open for her to come back again.

The actress, 36, reprised her role as Ruby Allen in November, after exiting the show three years earlier to welcome her daughter Aura, three, with husband Ben Bhanvra (seen on soap in Jan) 

Louisa has now confirmed that her return stint was only intended to last until James’ exit as Martin, but teased that the door is open for her to come back again

She said: ‘I left EastEnders a couple of weeks ago. I was only back for six months, to tie in with the 40th and Martin’s exit.

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

Louisa first appeared on screens as troubled runaway Ruby back in 2005, the daughter of Albert Square’s gang kingpin, Johnny Allen, and known for her close friendship with Stacey, played by Lacey Turner.

However, she was axed from the soap the following year and went on to enjoy roles in The Bill, Casualty and Murdoch Mysteries, as well as theatre productions such as Grease and competed on the fourth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2006.

Almost 12 years after she departed Walford, Louisa returned to EastEnders in September 2018.

She was then placed at the centre of a huge sexual consent storyline, which saw her character assaulted by Ross Swinden (Ossian Luke) and Matt Clarkson (Mitchell Hunt).

The storyline included a special episode delving into the different viewpoints surrounding consent and both the concept and Louisa’s performance were praised by viewers and critics alike.

Ruby later fell for and married Martin, before concocting a series of lies which led to Stacey’s false imprisonment.

While the pair eventually reconciled, Martin was then tragically killed off during the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode, having been crushed by a steel beam while rescuing his longtime love Stacey Slater after an explosion at the Queen Vic (seen) 

Louisa first appeared on screens as troubled runaway Ruby back in 2005 (pictured), the daughter of gang kingpin, Johnny Allen, and BFFs with Stacey, played by Lacey Turner

She eventually left the soap in November 2021, after being framed for a drugs bust by Stacey’s mum Jean and was sent to prison.

Despite Louisa admitting she wasn’t sure if she would ever come back to EastEnders after welcoming her first child, her long-awaited return was announced in September.

Speaking at the time, she said: ‘I am thrilled to have been asked back to the Square to revisit Ruby once more, and to shed some light on what the past three years have been like for her during her time away from Walford. 

‘I’ve always loved playing Ruby as there is never a dull moment and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Ruby has in store.’