Once you’ve been on a show like EastEnders, everyone assumes you’ve hit the big time, earning loads of money. But that wasn’t the case for Louisa Lytton.
After recently returning to the BBC soap, the actress has spoken out about struggling for work in the interim, admitting, “times are sometimes hard” and revealing she took temping jobs to make ends meet.
Speaking to The Sun, Louisa said: “Don’t get me wrong, I have been very lucky and I have worked the majority of the time, but I have had down periods. I’ve worked on reception at a yoga studio, I’ve been childminding – just normal jobs really.”
She added: “It’s not all fun and games. It’s a hard industry to be in. You’re out of work more than you’re in work the majority of the time. It is what it is. I was very lucky to land a high profile job to begin with.
“But, like every other actor I know, times are sometimes hard and you have to get part time jobs. You’re not always in work and that’s the nature of it.”
Louisa, 29, first appeared as Ruby Allen on EastEnders in 2005. She left after a year, going on to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, where she finished fourth. Her next big role was in 2007, when she played PC Beth Green in The Bill for two years.
She also represented the UK at the Eurovision Dance Contest in 2008, finishing ninth.
Otherwise, she has mostly acted in theatre, including playing Betty Rizzo in the 2017 UK touring production of the musical Grease.
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The actress’ return to the soap has been dramatic.
She’s involved in a controversial rape storyline, which begins next week when her character, Ruby joins her friend Stacey and her husband Martin Fowler on a night out.
It was announced last month that EastEnders would be tackling a rape storyline that centred around the often confusing issue of consent.
An EastEnders spokesperson told ED!: “Although viewers will not see the attack, the storyline is set to highlight the complex issues that surround sexual violence which is something Rape Crisis are keen to raise awareness of.”
Yvonne Traynor, CEO of Rape Crisis South London, said: “It is so vital to the safety of men, women and children to understand sexual violence and not to make assumptions or believe the myths and stereotypes that are often portrayed.
Louisa said: “As someone that has been part of EastEnders before, and as a viewer of the show, I know the impact a storyline such as this can have.
“And although it is a huge responsibility, I feel honoured to be part of something that, by working alongside Rape Crisis, we all hope can help end the many misconceptions surrounding sexual violence.”
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We’re glad to have you back on EastEnders, Louisa. We’ve missed you.
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