Louisa Lytton says ‘EastEnders’ was the ‘Love Island’ of its time during her first run.
The 30-year-old actress first joined the soap as teenager Ruby Allen back in 2005 – before leaving the following year and later returning in 2018 – and she has compared its popularity with the hit ITV2 dating show while insisting she found it easy to cope with the fame.
Appearing on ITV’s ‘Loose Women’ on Friday (06.12.19), she said: "It was very different back then.
"It was huge, it was sort of the ‘Love Island’ of today with the youngsters – and even bigger. I was so young. I think I just took it in my stride.
"I don’t remember it affecting me. There were no camera phones, no social media, so I think I got off lightly."
Louisa is excited to have actress Lacey Turner – who has been on maternity leave – back as Stacey Fowler, because it will mean a lot of drama in Albert Square.
While in a relationship with Max Branning (Jake Wood), Ruby slept with Martin Fowler (James Bye), who is married to best friend Stacey.
And in an added twist, Stacey has also had a number of affairs with Max.
Louisa said: "It’s that thing of, Stacey’s Ruby’s only friend. Only friend… It’s great because it will create a lot of drama for when Lacey returns.
"And also, there are women out there that do things like this.
"Of course I was really shocked [by the storyline], but it’s ‘EastEnders’ at the end of the day."
Her comments come after Jake admitted he’d love to see Max and Stacey hook up again when Lacey returns.
He recently insisted: "I’d love to see something happen between them again, and personally I enjoy doing scenes with Lacey. She’s such a talented actor and a pleasure to work with."
Louisa Lytton: EastEnders was Love Island of its day
