Plenty To Talk About

Best known as EastEnders’ wild child Roxy Mitchell, actress Rita Simons enjoyed a decade in Albert Square. Here the Essex-raised mum of two reveals to Denise Marshall how leaving Roxy behind was a blessing in disguise

- Denise Marshall

When producers informed Rita Simons and on-screen sister, Samantha Womack, that Roxy and Ronnie were to be written out in dramatic fashion, she admits it was a sudden blow, with all the fears for the future leaving a secure dream job brings.

‘We had both talked about leaving for a long time, but never really had the guts,’ explains Rita about her initial reaction. ‘Then we got told we were being killed, it was like, “Right then, we’ll get out coats”.’

The pair met a frustrating end for fans, who saw them drown in a swimming pool on Ronnie’s wedding day entangled in their bridal dresses, but anxieties soon vanished as she found herself in demand by directors.

‘It was a shock, yes, so I’m not going to say I’m glad, but it’s been a fabulous thing to get out there and spread my wings. It’s given me a massive boost in a new part of my career,’ confides Rita.

‘I have not stopped. When I say back to back, I even flew from the I’m a Celebrity jungle straight into pantomime last year, (as Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty), and opened jetlagged in Bournemouth the next day. Then I was rehearsing my next play, (The House on Cold Hill) while doing panto, and then that went on tour.

Rita was born in East London’s Whipps Cross Hospital and has plenty of fond memories of Essex after living in Ilford as a child, where her Apprentice star uncle, Lord Alan Sugar, famously sent his eldest son to work in McDonalds when he asked him for pocket money.