'It's like organising the world's most complicated summit'

Actress Rita Simons on the struggle of getting her family together, the challenges of her Hollyoaks job and how managing the menopause has been a journey of discovery

- SOFIA ZAGZOULE

She is six months into her role in Holly oaks and soap queen Rita Simons is loving her time on the show, but isn't finding it easy being away from her family and friends.

The former EastEnders actress who played Albert Square's fan favourite Roxy Mitchell took on the part of Marie Fielding in the soap and is thrilled to be part of the cast.

But accepting the Hollyoaks job meant she had to relocate from her home in London to the North West and away from her loved ones - a tough decision for the devoted mum of 18-year-old twin daughters.

And it has certainly been a roller-coaster few years for the star who also appears in reality show Drama Queens and has spoken out about her menopause experience, hysterectomy and marriage break-up.

Rita has been with her partner Ben Harlow since 2021, following her divorce from her husband of 14 years Theo Silveston - with whom she shares twins Jaimee and Maiya.

Here, she tells OK! how she is feeling a year on from her major surgery - and how managing to get the whole family together in one place for some quality time is no mean feat...

Hi, Rita, you struggled moving away from loved ones to Liverpool for Hollyoaks. How are you now?

I don’t think I will ever not struggle with it, it is really hard and the kids have sort of finished school... they still have exams. Maiya played the lead in Made In Dagenham down in London. I had to make sure I got approved holiday for it. You get down there and you have only got a day, and it’s all about the kids so I end up not being able to squeeze in all my other friends and family, which is really frustrating. But my kids come first – it is hard to see everyone!

It must be difficult “missing” milestones such as the end of school?