Louisa Lytton joined EastEnders in 2005 as Ruby Allen, the daughter of gangster Johnny Allen.
She left Albert Square in 2006 but made an explosive return in 2018 after a 12-year hiatus.
On the exit of her character, she said at the time: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at EastEnders. It has been a great experience which I will never forget but I am now looking forward to trying new things and not getting typecast.”
She later appeared on Loose Women and confirmed that leaving the BBC One soap was not her decision.
EastEnders isn’t Louisa’s only role on screen she has also had a successful career away from the BBC soap.
Daily Star has taken a look at the soap star’s life off-screen as she takes maternity leave after welcoming her first child with fiancé Ben Bhanvra.
Hollywood roles
(Image: BBC)
Louisa has appeared in a number blockbuster films during her career as an actress.
The 32-year-old beauty appeared as the body double for Emma Watson’s character Hermione Granger in the second film of the franchise Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which came out in 2002.
The soap star also appeared in the seventh comedy film American Pie Presents: The Book of Love.
In the film, Louisa played a minor role in a character called Imogen.
Speaking about how she ended up on the silver screen, Louisa said: “I sent my tape over, and found out I’d got the part four weeks later, then three days after that I was on a plane. It was crazy.
“I think originally they wanted a Spanish exchange student, then they were going to make it Canadian, and then they said why don’t we try a Brit? Which was cool… for me. Hopefully there’s a new set of 17-year-old boys who will get into it.”
Dancing queen
(Image: BBC)
In 2006, Louisa took part in the BBC dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing.
She was the youngest ever contestant to take part in the series at just 17 and finished in fourth place.
Two years later, Louisa took her skills from the show and represented the UK at the Eurovision Dance Contest in 2008.
She managed to finish in ninth place for the show.
Since then, Louisa has had stage roles in musicals Les Misérables and Annie, where she played the lead.
Lads’ mags snaps and career U-turn
(Image: WireImage)
Louisa retrained as as a barber after acting work dried up in 2014.
The TV personality shared the news by showing off a picture of her diploma on social media with her fans.
She said earlier this year: “Let’s talk about when I’m out of work and I decide I want to do other things like barbering.
“I don’t think I’ve cut anyone’s hair since my dad’s in 2014 when I passed.”
Louisa recently went through her old possessions when she found the barbering certificate – and also shared some of her other memories with her followers.
She giggled as she revealed embarrassing throwback photos from the 00s, which saw her sporting a bold tan.
Louisa also unearthed a copy of FHM from 2009, which included a sexy photoshoot from her FHM heyday.
Famous cousin
Louisa’s first cousin removed is rapper, actress and So Solid Crew member Lisa Maffia.
Whilst in So Solid Crew, the 42-year-old singer notched up five top 20 hits, including a platinum-selling single 21 Seconds and a platinum selling album They Don’t Know. As a solo artist.
She has released two top 10 singles and an award-winning album including the platinum selling single All Over.
Lisa’s most recent release to date, was 2017’s Wah Gwarn.
She also launched her fashion boutique House of Maffia, which Louisa has visited a number of occasions
The musician ranked No. 91 (2002) in FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women and ranked No. 77 (2002) in Loaded‘s Hot 100 Babes.
Lisa also took part in ITV’s The All New Monty: Who Bares Wins for charity in 2019.
Wedding drama
Louisa and fiancè Ben had to postpone their wedding twice due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The couple have been together since 2017 but got engaged in the Maldives two years later.
Louisa told OK!: “We’ve cancelled the wedding altogether now. We’ve decided to scrap the whole thing and start again with our plans.
“We’re going to have the baby and focus on that and then get married once we’re ready. We’d already postponed it twice and the wedding we were going to have is massive – we had nearly 200 people.
“We’re going to have the baby and focus on that, and then get married once we’re ready.”
Ben popped the question on her 30th birthday, and she told the publication at the time: “When I saw him on one knee I started crying like a baby.
“I was so excited but my brain went into overdrive and I started freaking out. I had no idea he was going to propose.”
Louisa and her partner live in north London with their Cockapoo Riley.
Mum’s the word
Louisa and Ben recently welcomed their first child.
The soap actress shared the news of their bundle of joy’s arrival on Instagram alongside a black and white photo of the couple holding the hand of their newborn baby.
Louisa captioned the adorable social media post: “And then there were three. Welcome to the world, we are utterly overwhelmed with love”.
(Image: Louisa Lytton WS)
The Eastenders star originally announced the pregnancy of her first child in an open letter to her mum on Mother’s Day.
She said; “Dear Mum, If I am a fraction of the mother you are, I know I’ll be the best.
“You have held my hand for 32 years, you have taught me right from wrong, corrected my spelling, and helped me see the light at the end of every single tunnel.
“And now you will guide me to becoming a mummy. (Just try not to move yourself in or Ben might leave).”
EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday on BBC One
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
