'EastEnders' Louisa Lytton: 'I will always be grateful for Ruby role'

Louisa Lytton has revealed that she will be forever "grateful" for her time in EastEnders.

The actress played Ruby Allen in the BBC1 soap from 2005-2006, and has since made a move to Los Angeles, playing a significant role in American Pie: The Book of Love in 2009.

Speaking about her role as a British exchange student in the straight-to-DVD movie, she told OK: "That experience was brilliant, as it does give you an insight into what you want to do in your career.

"But there is so much I still want to do at home, like theatre, and build myself up, because I have missed out on things like drama schools. It's funny because when I was there they thought I was a huge star back in Britain!

"For them, being a soap star is massive, yet in this country, if you do a soap, you're almost looked down on as an actress."

On her time in EastEnders, she explained: "I left in 2006, having been in it for two years. It seems a lifetime ago.

"It's crazy, because I was so young, but it was absolutely the biggest thing that could have happened to you, career-wise, at that age and straight from school. It's funny that I still get recognised from it now, all these years later."

She added that there may always be a door open to return to the soap if asked, saying: "I'd never say never.

"I'll always be grateful to the show, it got me where I am and gave me an amazing opportunity. A lot of other actors have said they'll never go back to EastEnders - and then they do! So I won't say I won't go back!"

Lytton currently stars in British drama Payback Season opposite BAFTA Rising Star Award winner Adam Deacon.

> Louisa Lytton: 'I'd return to Walford'

Watch the trailer for Payback Season below: