Rita Simons

Rita Simons earned the 2008 National Television Award for ‘Most Popular Newcomer’ and an ‘Inside Soap’ Award for ‘Best Newcomer’ for her acclaimed portrayal of Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Joining the cast in 2007, Simons maintained the central role for a decade, notably as one half of the iconic Mitchell sisters alongside Samantha Womack. Prior to her breakthrough, Simons began her music career as a member of the girl group Girls@Play in the early 2000s, releasing singles like ‘Airhead’ and a cover of ‘Respectable,’ before joining Charli to release ‘Feel Me.’ Her early acting work included appearances in television dramas such as Sky 1’s Dream Team in 2002, Mile High in 2003, and the ITV drama London’s Burning. Following her character’s departure from EastEnders in 2017, Simons seamlessly transitioned into prominent theatre productions.

She garnered critical attention playing Paulette Bonafonte in the UK tour of Legally Blonde: The Musical from 2017 to 2018 and later took on the role of Miss Hedge in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in 2019. Expanding her versatile portfolio into film, Simons appeared in the 2018 feature The Krays: Dead Man Walking. She also captivated audiences in reality television, participating in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2018.

Her commitment extends to public appearances at charity events and competing on television shows specifically to raise money for various causes. Simons’ diverse career path underscores her adaptability across music, television, and theatre, consistently delivering impactful performances and leveraging her platform for philanthropic endeavors.