Buff Ricky Whittle goes shirtless as he puts Louisa Lytton through her paces on a gruelling hike

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They're both best-known for their roles on the small screen after appearing in EastEnders and Hollyoaks.
But Louisa Lytton and Ricky Whittle swapped the soap world for the Hollywood Hills as they joined forces for a gruelling hike up Los Angeles landmark, Runyon Canyon, on Thursday.
Putting his actress pal well and truly through her paces, the fitness-mad Mistresses star showed off his buff bod to perfection by going shirtless to bask in the Californian sunshine.

A long way from Walford! Louisa Lytton and Ricky Whittle swapped the soap world for the Hollywood Hills as they joined forces for a gruelling hike up Los Angeles landmark, Runyon Canyon, on Thursday

Tucking a white T-shirt into his loose-fitting grey jogging pants, Ricky, 32, showcased his envy-inducing six-pack, bulging biceps and toned torso as he jogged around the canyon with ease.

 

Louisa seemed to be finding keeping up with the former Hollyoaks hunk a little tough, and looked a little out of breath as she struggled to find her balance mid-run.
The 25-year-old actress, best-known for playing Ruby Allen in EastEnders, looked every inch the California girl as she headed out on her jog, showing off her toned pins in a pair of barely-there black hotpants.

Hard at work: Putting his actress pal well and truly through her paces, the fitness-mad Mistresses star showed off his buff bod to perfection by going shirtless to bask in the Californian sunshine

Grinning away as she chatted to Ricky, the London-born starlet rocked a stylish workout look with a bright orange shoestring-strap sports bra and a low-cut grey printed vest, featuring an image of Croydon supermodel Kate Moss.
Louisa, who is currently appearing in new ITV comedy Edge Of Heaven, sensibly wore a pair of black and lime green Nike running shoes, while perching a pair of dark shades on her head to protect her eyes from the piercing California sun.
The soap star completed her running ensemble by wearing her dark brunette locks pulled back from her face into a low ponytail, while opting for minimal make-up as she got to work on the hike.

California dreaming: Tucking a white T-shirt into his loose-fitting grey jogging pants, Ricky, 32, showcased his envy-inducing six-pack, bulging biceps and toned torso as he jogged around the canyon with ease

In spite of their gruelling choice of activity, both Louisa and Ricky appeared to be in good spirits as they enjoyed their workout, chatting and joking away as they worked up a sweat alongside each other.
But it doesn't look as though Louisa will be following pal Ricky's lead and relocating to sunny Los Angeles anytime soon, with the actress back on British soil on Saturday night as she enjoyed a night out in London with a group of female friends.
Louisa has previously admitted while she is genetically-blessed with a naturally-small frame, she tries to cut down on carbohydrates if she wants to shed the pounds.

Work it, girl! The 25-year-old actress, best-known for playing Ruby Allen in EastEnders, looked every inch the California girl as she headed out on her jog, showing off her toned pins in a pair of barely-there black hotpants

She said in a recent interview: 'Everyone in my family is naturally quite small. I never diet, I just try to eat healthily. But before a holiday, I cut down on white bread and other bad carbs, and I try not to eat late at night.'
And although she doesn't have a great deal of time to dedicate to exercise, the diminutive star - who finished in fourth place on Strictly Come Dancing in 2006 - revealed fancy footwork is her favourite workout.
She added: 'I don’t get much time to exercise. I loved all the dancing on Strictly and I miss it, but there’s never time to do it any more.
'I’ve never forgotten it, though – sometimes I’ll hear a song I’ve done a dance to and I’ll be going through all the steps in my head.'

Here come the girls! It doesn't look as though Louisa will be following pal Ricky's lead and relocating to sunny Los Angeles anytime soon, with the actress back on British soil on Saturday night as she enjoyed a night out in London with a group of female friends

Golden girl: The diminutive star showed off her slim frame in a plunging black top and matching leggings, a gold blazer and towering nude peep-toe heels