Rita Simons
Rita Joanne Simons (born 10 March 1977) is an English actress and singer from London. She is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders" from 2007 to 2017, when her character was killed-off, alongside her on screen character's sister Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack). For her performance on the show Simons received many accolades, including the 2008 National Television Award for Most Popular Newcomer. On 12 November 2018, Simons was confirmed to be participating in that year's series of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!". She was the  fourth to be eliminated on 4 December 2018. Personal life. Simons was born at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Whipp Cross, Leytonstone, London. She is Susan (née Franks) and Mark Simons daughter. Both of her parents are Jewish. She has an older brother, Ben. Through her paternal aunt's marriage, Simons is the niece of billionaire businessman Lord Sugar, who is best known for appearing in the BBC reality series "The Apprentice". In August 2004, she married hairdresser Theo Silverston. They have twin daughters. The couple separated in 2018. Simons is best friends with co-star Samantha Womack, who played  her on-screen sister Ronnie Mitchell. Simons has been diagnosed with scoliosis. In July 2018, Simons revealed that she has been diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, anxiety and insomnia. Career. Music. Before her acting career, Simons was in the group Girls@Play, who had a couple of hit singles before splitting up. Their songs included "Airhead" and a cover of Mel and Kim's "Respectable". Simons then joined a different group called Charli with three other members, including Shar from the Paradiso Girls, and released a single titled "Feel Me". Acting. Simons has made appearances in the Sky 1 dramas "Dream Team  (2002) and Mile High" (2003; as Hannah), as well as the ITV drama "London's Burning". On 11 May 2007, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of "EastEnders" as Roxy Mitchell, alongside Samantha Womack who played Roxy's sister Ronnie Mitchell. Of her role, Simons said: "I've always watched "EastEnders" and it's been my dream to become part of the Mitchell family." Simons temporarily departed from "EastEnders" in late 2015 (the character departed from screens from 1 January to 4 May 2016), allowing the actress to take part in a "Snow White" pantomime at  the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, over the 2015–2016 Christmas and New Year period. In August 2016, it was announced that Simons was leaving "EastEnders" along with Samantha Womack. Her on-screen character Roxy Mitchell drowned in a swimming pool in an episode broadcast on New Year's Day 2017, along with her sister Ronnie. Simons appeared as Paulette Bonafonte in the 2017–2018 UK tour of "Legally Blonde: the Musical" in 2017. In 2019, Simons played the role of ‘Miss Hedge’ in the hit musical "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" at the Apollo Theatre. She was to take on the role  of Velma von Tussle in the 2021 revival of "Hairspray" at the London Coliseum. Charity work. In December 2009, Simons visited her old secondary school, Watford Grammar School for Girls, to open the Christmas fair. In December 2010, Simons launched the RNID Christmas Concert where she announced that her five-year-old daughter is deaf. In July 2011, Simons held an autograph session at the St Nicholas Primary School summer fair in Elstree. In December 2011, Simons hosted the annual Action on Hearing Loss concert along with the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Abdul Quadir. She appeared on a "Big Star 's Little Star" episode, broadcast on 1 April 2015, and won £13,000 for charity.