Rita Simons
English actress and singer (born 1977)
title: "Rita Simons" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1977-births", "living-people", "english-people-of-jewish-descent", "jewish-english-actresses", "english-female-models", "english-television-actresses", "english-soap-opera-actresses", "people-educated-at-watford-grammar-school-for-girls", "21st-century-english-women-singers", "21st-century-english-singers", "21st-century-english-actresses", "people-with-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder", "people-with-obsessive–compulsive-disorder", "models-from-london", "actresses-from-london", "actors-from-the-london-borough-of-waltham-forest"] description: "English actress and singer (born 1977)" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Simons" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary English actress and singer (born 1977) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Rita Simons |
| image | Rita Simons 2016.jpg |
| caption | Simons in 2016 |
| birth_name | Rita Joanne Simons |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Whipps Cross, London, England |
| occupation | Actress, singer |
| yearsactive | 2000–present |
| spouse | |
| Ben Harlow (m. 2025) | |
| other_names | Rita Silveston |
| television | Mile High |
| Dream Team | |
| London's Burning | |
| EastEnders | |
| I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! | |
| Hollyoaks | |
| children | 2 |
| relatives | Alan Sugar (uncle) |
| known for | Role of Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders |
| :: |
| name = Rita Simons | image = Rita Simons 2016.jpg | caption = Simons in 2016 | birth_name = Rita Joanne Simons | birth_date = | birth_place = Whipps Cross, London, England | occupation = Actress, singer | yearsactive = 2000–present | spouse = Ben Harlow (m. 2025) | other_names = Rita Silveston | television = Mile High Dream Team London's Burning EastEnders I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Hollyoaks | children = 2 | relatives = Alan Sugar (uncle) | known for = Role of Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders Rita Joanne Simons (born 10 March 1977) is an English actress and singer. After beginning her career as a member of the short-lived girl group Girls@Play, she became best known for portraying the role of 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".
Outside of EastEnders, Simons has appeared as contestant on the eighteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and has appeared in various theatre productions. In 2024, she joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as Marie Fielding.
Early life
Simons was born on 10 March 1977 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Whipps Cross, Leytonstone, London to Susan (** Franks) and Mark Simons. 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 Alan Sugar.
Career
Music career and early acting work
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".
Simons 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.
''EastEnders''
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 made a voiceover appearance in May 2019, during the return of Roxy's ex-husband Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky), which saw him listen to a voicemail from Roxy on an old mobile phone. She made a cameo reappearance on 27 April 2023, as Roxy imagined by her daughter Amy during a family counselling session. Since Ronnie and Roxy were "killed off", EastEnders fans have continued to campaign for the characters to be resurrected, including sending potential scripts and return plots to the show's bosses.
Other work
Simons appeared as Paulette Bonafonte in the 2017–2018 UK tour of Legally Blonde: the Musical in 2017.
On 12 November 2018, Simons was confirmed to be participating as a contestant on the eighteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. She was the fourth to be eliminated on 4 December 2018.
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. In 2022, she joined the cast of TV show, Professor T.
She participated in Pilgrimage: The Road Through Portugal, aired in 2023, a BBC Two series dedicated to a pilgrimage to Fátima, Portugal, with six other celebrities. She was the only Jewish pilgrim and had the chance to visit a former synagogue in Tomar.
In 2023, it was announced that Simons would be joining the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. She is set to take over the role of Marie Fielding, the mother of established character Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed) and made her debut in March 2024. In July 2025, it was announced that Simons would be leaving the soap and she departed in October following the show's 30th anniversary celebrations, when her character was seen moving into Brookside Close under an alias.
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.
Simons appeared on an episode of Big Star's Little Star, broadcast on 1 April 2015, and won £13,000 for charity.
Personal life
Simons has twin daughters.
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.
Filmography
Television
::data[format=table]
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Dream Team | Prostitute | Episode: "Danny and Peggsy Go Large" |
| 2003 | Mile High | Hannah | 1 episode #1.4 |
| 2007–2017, 2019, 2023 | EastEnders | Roxy Mitchell | 974 episodes |
| 2007–2013 | BBC Children in Need | Roxy Mitchell / Herself | |
| 2009 | All Star Mr & Mrs | ||
| 2009, 2022 | The Weakest Link | Herself | Contestant |
| 2009–2011 | EastEnders Revealed | Including clips of Simons' portrayal as Roxy | |
| 2011 | All Star Family Fortunes | ||
| Epic Win! | |||
| 2012–2013 | Celebrity Juice | ||
| 2012 | My Daughter, Deafness and Me | ||
| 2012, 2019 | Celebrity Chase | ||
| 2013 | I Love My Country | Panelist | |
| Pointless Celebrities | Contestant | ||
| 2015 | EastEnders: Back to Ours | Including clips of Simons' portrayal as Roxy | |
| Big Star's Little Star | Contestant | ||
| 2016 | The One Show | Herself / Roxy Mitchell | Peggy Mitchell's final episode |
| 2017 | Tipping Point: Lucky Stars | Herself | Contestant |
| 2018 | I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! | Contestant; eliminated fourth | |
| 2018–2021 | Lorraine | 3 episodes | |
| 2019 | The Stages of My Life | ||
| Piers Morgan's Life Stories | Guest; Alan Sugar's niece | ||
| Loose Women | Guest | ||
| 2020 | Richard Osman's House of Games | Contestant | |
| Harry Redknapp's Sandbanks Summer | |||
| Hey Tracey! | Special guest | ||
| Celebrity Supermarket Sweep | |||
| 2021 | Britain's Brightest Celebrity Family | Contestant; semi-finalist | |
| Celebrity MasterChef | Contestant | ||
| 2022 | Professor T | Debbie Sanderson | Episode: "DNA of a Murderer" |
| 2024-25 | Hollyoaks | Marie Fielding | Regular role |
| 2024 | Drama Queens | Herself | |
| :: |
Film
::data[format=table]
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Krays: Dead Man Walking | Lisa Prescott | |
| :: |
Theatre
::data[format=table]
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Queen Ivannah | Marlowe Theatre |
| 2017 | Aladdin | Scheherazade | Beck Theatre |
| Legally Blonde: The Musical | Paulette Bonafonte | Tour | |
| 2018 | Sleeping Beauty | Carabosse | Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth |
| 2019 | Sleeping Beauty | Carabosse | Alban Arena |
| The House on Cold Hill | Caro Harcourt | Tour | |
| Everybody's Talking About Jamie | Miss Hedge | Apollo Theatre | |
| 2021 | Hairspray | Velma von Tussle | London Coliseum |
| Sleeping Beauty | Carabosse | Derby Arena | |
| 2022 | Peter Pan | Captain Hook | Hawth Theatre |
| 2023 | Beauty and the Beast | Enchantress | Assembly Hall Theatre |
| :: |
Accolades
::data[format=table]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | National Television Awards | Most Popular Newcomer | ||
| Inside Soap Awards | Best Newcomer | |||
| Digital Spy Soap Awards | ||||
| Best On-Screen Partnership (with Samantha Janus) | ||||
| TV Now Awards | Favourite Newcomer to Irish TV (with Samantha Janus) | |||
| British Soap Awards | Best Newcomer | |||
| Best On-Screen Partnership (with Samantha Janus) | ||||
| Sexiest Female | ||||
| TV Quick and TV Choice Awards | Best Newcomer | |||
| 2009 | All About Soap Bubble Awards | Fatal Attraction (with Robert Kazinsky) | ||
| Killer Secret (with Robert Kazinsky & Scott Maslen) | ||||
| TV Now Awards | Favourite Female Soap Star | |||
| 2011 | British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | ||
| 2017 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Exit (with Samantha Janus) | ||
| Show Stopper (with Samantha Janus) | ||||
| 2018 | BRIFTLIX Indie Film Awards | Best Actress | ||
| :: |
References
References
- "Rita Simons".
- Roberts, David. (2006). "British Hit Singles & Albums". Guinness World Records Limited.
- (26 January 2010). "'Charli' Music Video W Shar From The Paradiso Girls!". YouTube.
- (11 May 2007). "Samantha Janus lands ''EastEnders'' role". [[Digital Spy]].
- Westbrook, Caroline. (26 May 2007). "Sugar's niece joins ''Enders''". Jewtastic.
- (11 May 2007). "The Mitchell Sisters". [[Daily Mirror]].
- Britcher, Chris. (11 January 2016). "Marlowe Theatre panto smashes box office records as Snow White packs a punch". Kent News.
- Kilkelly, Daniel. (1 January 2017). "EastEnders kills off Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell with a grisly swimming pool ending". [[Digital Spy]].
- Minn, Hayley. (2 January 2017). "Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell's EastEnders death explained: How they actually drowned". [[Daily Mirror]].
- (27 April 2023). "EastEnders fans already in tears over Roxy's emotional return". Radio Times.
- (20 December 2025). "EastEnders fans send in own scripts for shock Roxy and Ronnie comeback".
- Lewis, Rebecca. (12 November 2018). "Meet the I'm a Celebrity 2018 campmates from Rita Simons to Harry Redknapp".
- "BBC Two - Pilgrimage".
- (15 July 2023). "Hollyoaks role revealed for ex-EastEnders star Rita Simons".
- (29 October 2025). "Hollyoaks confirms permanent Marie and Arlo exits in dramatic final episode".
- (December 2009). "Watford Grammar School For Girls". Watford Grammar School For Girls.
- Darlington, Josh. (14 July 2011). "Eastenders star Rita Simons helps raise money for St Nicholas Primary School in Elstree". Borehamwood & Elstree Times.
- Neil, Beth. (30 April 2008). "EastEnders Roxy on being a mum and the Square's biggest slapper". [[Daily Mirror]].
- Shields, Danielle. (25 August 2016). "Soap stars who are BFFs in real life – Sam Womack and Rita Simons set to exit EastEnders together". [[OK!]].
- Kilner, Lara. (14 April 2012). "Rita Simons on EastEnders, Uncle Alan Sugar and being told she looks fat on the telly".
- Fillingham, Hanna. (22 July 2018). "Ex-EastEnders star Rita Simons opens up about terrifying health condition". [[Hello! (magazine).
- "Professor T".
- (30 October 2008). "National Television Awards: The Winners". [[Digital Spy]].
- Green, Kris. (29 September 2008). "'Enders cleans up at ''Inside Soap'' Awards". [[Digital Spy]].
- Green, Kris. (21 March 2008). "Digital Spy Soap Awards 2008: The Winners". [[Digital Spy]].
- "Favourite Newcomer to Irish". [[TV Now]].
- "Rita Simons Winner of best newcomer TV Now Awards 2008 held at the Mansion House Dublin, Ireland". [[Alamy]].
- (4 May 2008). "The British Soap Awards 2008: The Winners". Digital Spy.
- "Rita Simons – Awards". [[Internet Movie Database]].
- (31 March 2009). "All About Soap 'Bubble' winners announced". Digital Spy.
- "Favourite Female Soap Star". [[TV Now]].
- (2011-05-14). "British Soap Awards 2011: The Winners". Digital Spy.
- (31 October 2017). "Inside Soap Awards 2017 shortlist revealed – which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up for prizes?". Digital Spy.
- (31 December 2018). ""The Brindies" – The BRITFLIX British Indie Film Awards 2018". Britflix.
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