Rita Simons

Rita Joanne Simons was born on March 10, 1977, in Essex, England, UK. She began her career in music as a member of the girl group Girls@Play, which released songs such as “Airhead” and a cover of “Respectable” in the early 2000s. Following this, she joined another group named Charli, releasing the single “Feel Me.” Her early acting work included appearances in television dramas like Sky 1’s “Dream Team” in 2002 and “Mile High” in 2003, as well as the ITV drama “London’s Burning.” Simons’ career took a significant turn when she joined the cast of “EastEnders” in 2007, portraying Roxy Mitchell, a role she would maintain for a decade.

Simons became a central figure in “EastEnders,” notably as one half of the Mitchell sisters alongside Samantha Womack, who played Ronnie Mitchell. Her performance earned her the 2008 National Television Award for “Most Popular Newcomer” and an “Inside Soap” Award for “Best Newcomer.” After her character’s departure from “EastEnders” in 2017, Simons transitioned to various theatre productions, playing Paulette Bonafonte in the UK tour of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” (2017–2018) and Miss Hedge in “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” (2019). She has also participated in reality television, including “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” in 2018, and continues to expand her acting portfolio with roles in shows like “Professor T” (2022) and Channel 4’s “Hollyoaks” (2024–2025).

Beyond her media career, Simons is involved in charity work, having supported organizations such as the RNID (now Action on Hearing Loss) due to personal connections. She has made public appearances at charity events and has competed on television shows to raise money for various causes. Simons has also openly discussed her diagnoses of scoliosis, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and insomnia, contributing to broader awareness of these conditions. Her diverse career reflects her adaptability across music, television, and theatre.