Get the latest OK! breaking news on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More infoJoin us on WhatsApp EastEnders’ Ruby Allen made a dramatic return to Walford last year, just in time for the soap’s explosive 40th anniversary celebrations which saw her cherished on-screen partner meet a tragic fate. Ruby first graced Walford back in 2005 as the offspring of notorious gangster Johnny Allen (Billy Murray), and quickly struck up a close friendship with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). However, their bond crumbled when Ruby began dating Martin Fowler (James Bye), Stacey’s ex, years later. Upon her return to the Square in 2024, it was revealed that Ruby had a young son named Roman who desperately needed a liver transplant. Martin was soon identified as the little boy’s father and agreed to be his donor, saving his life. Ruby and Martin rekindled their relationship swiftly, but their joy was short-lived as Martin tragically died in The Queen Vic explosion on Thursday (February 20).
Ruby and Martin’s romance was short lived after he died in The Vic
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Louisa, 36, hails from Camden, North London, and honed her acting skills at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone. She bagged her first acting gig in 1997 with a guest appearance on ITV’s crime drama The Bill, reports Plymouth Live. In 1999, Louisa featured as a young girl in an episode of Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders’ Let Them Eat Cake, and in 2002, she served as Emma Watson’s body double in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Her initial stint as Ruby Allen in EastEnders spanned from 2005 to 2006, ending with her departure in a taxi following her father’s funeral and a fallout with best mate Stacey.
Louisa Lytton was a teenager when she joined EastEnders as Ruby Allen
(Image: BBC)
In 2006, she showcased her dance moves on Strictly Come Dancing, making it to the quarter finals. Louisa then reprised her role in The Bill as PC Beth Green from 2007 until 2009. In 2010, she made an appearance in an episode of BBC’s Casualty and later landed a recurring role in Edge of Heaven in 2014. Fast forward to September 2018, Ruby made a comeback to Walford with Louisa stepping back into the role after a 12-year hiatus. To accommodate Louisa’s maternity leave, Ruby was written off temporarily in November 2021 when she was falsely accused by the Slater family of running a cannabis farm, leading to her imprisonment. She made her return to the square in 2024.
Louisa starred in The Bill for two years
(Image: ITV)
Family life On the home front, Louisa exchanged vows with long-term beau Ben Bhanvra in July 2022. Their wedding plans were initially set for August 2020 but had to be postponed thrice due to the Covid pandemic. Opening up to OK! about the emotional toll of postponing their nuptials, Louisa shared: “It was emotional making the decision to postpone it because you put all this work and effort into something, build it all up in your head, and then suddenly it’s not happening for ages.” The couple finally said their “I dos” in Siena, Tuscany, surrounded by 90 guests which included EastEnders colleagues and celeb pals like Lacey Turner, James Bye and Zaraah Abrahams.
Louisa Lytton and her husband Ben Bhanvra share one daughter
(Image: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hamleys)
Louisa Lytton’s journey to motherhood was one for the books, with her dream turning into reality in August 2021 as she welcomed their baby girl Aura Olivia Bhanvra. The birthing process wasn’t straight forward as after enduring an intense three-day labour, the decision was made to proceed with an emergency c-section. Speaking to OK!, Louisa shared: “The birth wasn’t what I planned. I really wanted a water birth and we did a hypnobirthing course, but at the same time I wasn’t married to the idea because I know sometimes it doesn’t go to plan, so I was open to whatever was safest.” Now, the family of three is nestled in their stylishly-decorated home. Four years back, Louisa and Ben said goodbye to their cramped flat and hello to more space, which they’ve converted into a sleek and contemporary haven.
Lisa Maffia was a member of the rap group So Solid Crew
(Image: Getty Images for Universal)
Plus, Louisa has fame running in the family as she is related to Lisa Maffia, the former So Solid Crew sensation and rapper. Born in Brixton, Lisa rocked the UK garage world alongside stars like Romeo, MC Harvey, and Ashley Walters, and she happens to be Louisa’s first cousin once removed. While Louisa was showcasing her spellbinding talents on the Square, Lisa was raising the roof across the UK, making them two peas in a pod in the entertainment realm. With careers that seem to mirror each other, both cousins have dabbled in reality TV and silver screen gems, sharing more than just family ties but also a flare for the limelight. EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer
