Rita Simons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rita Simons
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Simons in 2016
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| Born |
Rita Joanne Simons
10 March 1977 Whipps Cross, London, England
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| Other names | Rita Silveston |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Role of Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders |
| Television | Mile High Dream Team London's Burning EastEnders I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Hollyoaks |
| Spouse(s) |
Theo Silveston
(m. 2004; separated 2018) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Alan Sugar (uncle) |
Rita Joanne Simons (born 10 March 1977) is an English actress and singer. She is most famous for playing Roxy Mitchell in the BBC television show EastEnders, which is a type of long-running drama called a soap opera. She played Roxy from 2007 to 2017.
Her role as Roxy was very popular. She won the National Television Award for "Most Popular Newcomer" in 2008. After EastEnders, she appeared on the reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and has performed in many stage shows. In 2024, she joined the cast of another soap opera, Hollyoaks.
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Early Life and Family
Rita Simons was born in Whipps Cross, London, England. Her parents are Susan and Mark Simons, and she has an older brother named Ben. Both of her parents are Jewish.
A fun fact about her family is that her aunt married a famous businessman, making Lord Sugar her uncle.
Career Journey
Singing and Early Acting
Before she became a famous actress, Rita was in a girl group called Girls@Play. The group had a few hit songs, including "Airhead." After the group split up, she joined another band called Charli.
She then started her acting career. She had small roles in TV shows like Dream Team and Mile High.
Starring in EastEnders
In 2007, Rita got her big break when she joined the cast of EastEnders. She played Roxy Mitchell, the sister of Ronnie Mitchell, who was played by actress Samantha Womack. Rita was very excited about the role, saying it was her dream to be part of the famous Mitchell family on the show.
She played Roxy for ten years. In 2017, her character had a dramatic exit when Roxy and her sister Ronnie both died in a swimming pool on New Year's Day. Even after leaving, she returned briefly. In 2019, her voice was used in an episode, and in 2023, she appeared as a vision to her on-screen daughter.
Life After EastEnders
After leaving EastEnders, Rita has been very busy. She has performed in many theatre shows, also known as musicals. She played Paulette Bonafonte in the UK tour of Legally Blonde: The Musical and Miss Hedge in Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
In 2018, she was a contestant on the popular TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. On the show, celebrities live together in a jungle and face different challenges. Rita was the fourth person to be voted off.
In 2024, she returned to soap operas by joining the cast of Hollyoaks as the character Marie Fielding.
Personal Life
Rita married hairdresser Theo Silveston in 2004, and they have twin daughters. The couple separated in 2018.
She is very close friends with Samantha Womack, who played her sister in EastEnders.
Rita has been open about her health. She has spoken about having conditions like scoliosis, a curve in the spine, as well as ADHD and OCD.
Helping Others
Rita uses her fame to support charities. She is very involved with Action on Hearing Loss, a charity that helps people who are deaf or have hearing problems. This cause is important to her because one of her daughters is deaf.
She has hosted concerts and appeared on charity TV shows like Big Star's Little Star to raise money for good causes.
See also
In Spanish: Rita Simons para niños
- List of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series) contestants
