ONE YEAR ON SINCE EASTENDERS RUBY ALLEN RETURNED

Today (18th September) marks one year since the amazingly talented actress that is Louisa Lytton return to the role of Ruby Allen after 12 long years away!

I have decided to write this blog to take a look back at what an amazing year, Louisa has had and the storylines she has tackled raising a lot of awareness.

On Tuesday 18th September, 2018 saw Louisa's comeback scenes as Ruby in The E20 where she saw her best friend, Stacey Fowler (this is one friendship I am grateful they decided to remember).

Ruby later attended a school reunion with Stacey and her husband, Martin where she met two of his school friends, Ross who she flirted with and Matt which lead to some emotional scenes the next day of Ruby telling her best friend what happened as she said she went back to Ross' house but wake up with Matt on top of her which led to the consent storyline (and the reason Louisa agreed to return to the show).

Stacey later told Ruby that she needs to report what happened with Matt to the police which she later did which led to some more emotional scenes when a photo then emerged of Ruby kissing Matt leaving to Ruby being incredibly upset when the police received it. However, on the plus side Matt and Ross were both charged.

In November 29th's episode in a special consent episode everyone in the Queen Vic discovered what happened to Ruby and these scenes especially with Linda Carter because she had been through exactly what Ruby was. The emotions in the episode was just wonderful along with the camera angles and the scripting.

Ruby then went on several dates with Jay Brown where she struggled to open up to him about her experiences, but fearing that the trial won't deliver the justice that Ruby thought it deserved she started to think about how her father would have handled seeing her daughter like this and tried to get revenge herself where she urged Matt and Ross back to the Square - Ross came to her apartment quickly Stacey and Martin arrived at her flat.

However, as the trial proceeded and was an emotional experience for the best friends, Ruby and Stacey who both supported each other throughout. Moments later, Matt eventually breaks on the stand admitting that he didn't know whether Ruby had consented or not leading to both Matt and Ross are found guilty and sentenced to ten years in prison.

Back in April, viewers saw that Ruby was reunited with Sean in The Queen Vic where she slapped him as revenge for throwing her father's ashes at her face all of those years ago. God, I love a feisty Ruby Allen.

After the trial, Stacey was then encouraged by her best friend to move on with her life, Ruby decided to tart a relationship with Jay - however, it wasn't long before they were on and off.
Later, Billy Mitchell managed to convince Ruby to let his granddaughter, Lola Pearce work with her and Ruby agreed not knowing about her identity and as they struggle to get on, Ruby eventually sacked her.

And now Ruby's seeing Max Branning on and off, but everyone who needs me knows how much I am liking this unexpected pairing!

I can't wait to see what the rest of 2019 as to offer for Ruby Allen.

2019 has also been an amazing year for Louisa herself with being nominated for many awards including being longlisted for Best Actress at The British Soap Awards and nominated for Best Episode for the Consent Episode. Louisa has been shortlisted for Best Actress and Best Show-Stopper episode for the Consent Episode at The Inside Soap Awards.

The past 12 months have been incredible for Louisa which I am so proud of her and I am extremely excited for what the next 12 months hold!