Rita Simons is an English actress and singer who became a household name through her long-running portrayal of Roxy Mitchell on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Born on March 10, 1977, in Essex, she spent a decade on the show before moving on to other television work, stage musicals, and a recent stint on Hollyoaks. Beyond her acting career, she has spoken openly about living with scoliosis, a spinal condition that has affected her height and health.
Her journey from a brief pop career to one of British television’s most recognisable soap faces spans more than two decades. Today, at 49, she remains active in the industry while balancing family life and managing a condition she has turned into a platform for self-acceptance.
What are Rita Simons’ most famous movies and TV shows?
Rita Joanne Simons
10 March 1977 (age 49)
Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders
Hollyoaks, West End theatre (Hairspray, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie)
Simons built her reputation primarily on television, but her career also includes film, stage musicals, and reality TV. Below are the key insights from her professional trajectory.
- She is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders from 2007 to 2017, appearing in 973 episodes.
- Her character was killed off on New Year’s Day 2017 alongside her on-screen sister Ronnie Mitchell.
- She joined Hollyoaks in 2024 as Marie Fielding, the mother of Joel Dexter, and departed in October 2025.
- She appeared as a contestant on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2018.
- She has performed in major West End musicals, including Legally Blonde: The Musical and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
- She began her entertainment career as a member of the girl group Girls@Play before moving into acting.
- As of early 2025, she has not appeared on Coronation Street, contrary to occasional online speculation.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Essex, England, UK |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years Active | 2000–present |
| Notable TV Work | EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Dream Team |
| Film | The Krays: Dead Man Walking (2018) |
| Health Condition | Adult scoliosis |
| Marital Status | Married to Ben Harlow (since September 2025) |
| Children | Twin daughters, Jaimee Leah and Maiya Sammy Silveston (born 2006) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million |
Her most defining role remains Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders, a character she played for a decade. The role made her a familiar face across Britain and opened doors to stage work and other television projects. After leaving the soap, she took on guest roles in Professor T (2021) and appeared in the short film The Krays: Dead Man Walking.
What is Rita Simons doing now?
As of late 2025 and early 2026, Simons has departed Hollyoaks. Her character Marie Fielding left the show in October 2025 after 37 episodes. She remains active in the entertainment industry, with recent projects including the reality television series Drama Queens on ITVBe, which follows prominent British soap stars away from their roles.
Is she still acting?
Yes. Simons continues to perform in musicals and theatre productions. She recently returned to the stage in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. Her stage career also includes a UK tour of Legally Blonde: The Musical, where she played Paulette Bonafonté.
Does she have a social media presence?
Simons is active on Instagram under the handle @rita_simonsofficial. Her biography there describes her as an “Actress/Singer/Mama” and mentions both her breast reduction surgery and adult scoliosis. She also offers personalised video messages through the platform Memmo.
As of early 2026, Rita Simons has no confirmed upcoming television or film projects. Her primary professional activities are stage performances, social media engagement, and appearances on reality shows such as Drama Queens. She has not ruled out a return to soap opera work in the future.
Does Rita Simons have scoliosis?
Yes. Simons was diagnosed with scoliosis in March 2008. The condition causes her spine to curve side-to-side, and she has stated that it has made her two inches shorter than she would otherwise be. Rather than undergoing corrective surgery, she has chosen to manage the condition through lifestyle adjustments and has spoken publicly about self-acceptance.
What is adult scoliosis?
Adult scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side. It can cause pain, posture changes, and, in some cases, reduced height. Simons has used her platform to raise awareness and encourage others living with the condition to embrace their bodies.
Simons lists “adult scoliosis” and “breast reduction surgery” in her Instagram biography, turning what could be a private health matter into a visible part of her public identity. She has shared messages about self-acceptance related to the condition, according to a report by Digital Spy.
How old is Rita Simons?
Rita Simons was born on 10 March 1977, making her 49 years old as of early 2026. She was born and raised in Essex, England.
What was her early life like?
Before becoming an actress, Simons began her career in music. She was a member of the girl group Girls@Play, which gave her early performance experience. She later transitioned into acting, landing early television roles in series such as Dream Team before joining EastEnders in 2007.
Is she married?
Simons was previously married to hairdresser Theo Silveston. They married in August 2006, separated in late 2018, and filed for divorce in August 2020. She later married Ben Harlow on 15 September 2025.
Does she have children?
Yes. Simons has twin daughters named Jaimee Leah and Maiya Sammy Silveston, born in February 2006. Some sources list April 2006, but the February date appears more consistently across records.
How tall is she?
Her height is often reported as 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m), although this has not been officially confirmed. The scoliosis in her spine has reduced her height by approximately two inches from what it would have been without the condition.
Rita Simons’ net worth is estimated at $1 million based on her long-running EastEnders role and subsequent theatre and television work. However, no verified or official financial disclosure exists. Estimates in the public domain vary, and the $1 million figure should be treated as an approximation.
What does Rita Simons’ career timeline look like?
- 1977 — Born in Essex, England.
- 2000s — Began her career as a member of the girl group Girls@Play before moving into acting with early television roles including Dream Team.
- 2007 — Joined EastEnders as Roxy Mitchell, a role she would play for a decade.
- 2017 — Her character was killed off on New Year’s Day, marking her departure from the soap after 973 episodes.
- 2018 — Appeared in the short film The Krays: Dead Man Walking and participated in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
- 2019 — Performed as Miss Hedge in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre.
- 2021 — Guest role as Debbie Sanderson in Professor T (UK).
- 2024–2025 — Played Marie Fielding in Hollyoaks, departing in October 2025.
- 2025 — Married Ben Harlow in September; appeared in Drama Queens on ITVBe.
What is confirmed about Rita Simons and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born on 10 March 1977 in Essex (Wikipedia) | Whether she has ever appeared on Coronation Street — no reliable evidence supports this as of early 2025 |
| Played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders (2007–2017, 973 episodes) (Spanish Wikipedia) | Exact net worth — estimates vary and no official figure is publicly available |
| Diagnosed with scoliosis in March 2008 (Digital Spy) | Precise height — commonly cited as 5 ft 2 in but not formally verified |
| Married Ben Harlow on 15 September 2025 (IMDB) | Whether she will return to a regular soap role in the future |
| Has twin daughters born in February 2006 (German Wikipedia) | — |
Why does Rita Simons matter beyond her acting work?
Simons’ career is anchored by her long-running role on EastEnders, which made her a recognisable figure in British soap opera. But her influence extends beyond acting. Her openness about scoliosis on social media has turned her into an informal advocate for spinal health awareness. She has framed her condition not as a limitation but as part of her identity, encouraging followers to accept their own bodies.
The persistent question about whether she has appeared on Coronation Street likely stems from confusion with other actresses or wishful fan speculation. As of the available records, she has not. Her transition from screen to stage has been equally notable, with performances in major West End musicals demonstrating a versatility that goes beyond her soap opera origins.
What do the sources say about Rita Simons?
“Rita Joanne Simons (born 10 March 1977) is an English actress and singer.”
— Wikipedia
“Actress/Singer/Mama Real life/body/Style/Mental Gym #breastreductionsurgery #adultscoliosis”
— Instagram biography, @rita_simonsofficial
“Roxy Mitchell, the younger sister of Ronnie, was a popular fixture in Albert Square.”
— BBC EastEnders press releases
What is a quick summary of Rita Simons’ life and career?
Rita Simons is a 49-year-old English actress and singer best known for playing Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders from 2007 to 2017 and Marie Fielding on Hollyoaks from 2024 to 2025. She lives with scoliosis, which she was diagnosed with in 2008, and has spoken publicly about self-acceptance. She is married to Ben Harlow and has twin daughters. Her estimated net worth is $1 million. She continues to work in theatre and reality television while maintaining an active presence on social media. For a deeper look at her most iconic role, see the Roxy Mitchell – character profile.
Frequently asked questions about Rita Simons
How tall is Rita Simons?
Her height is commonly reported as 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m), but this has not been officially confirmed. Scoliosis has reduced her height by about two inches.
What is Rita Simons’ net worth?
Estimates place it around $1 million, based on her EastEnders salary and subsequent theatre and television work. No verified figure exists.
Is Rita Simons on Twitter?
She appears to be primarily active on Instagram (@rita_simonsofficial). There is no verified Twitter account widely associated with her.
Does Rita Simons have children?
Yes. She has twin daughters named Jaimee Leah and Maiya Sammy Silveston, born in February 2006.
What is Rita Simons’ real full name?
Rita Joanne Simons.
Was Rita Simons on Coronation Street?
No. As of early 2025, there is no reliable evidence that she has appeared on Coronation Street.
What is Rita Simons doing now?
She left Hollyoaks in October 2025. She is currently performing in theatre, appearing on the reality series Drama Queens, and engaging with fans on Instagram.
Did Rita Simons have surgery for scoliosis?
She has not confirmed undergoing surgery for scoliosis. She manages the condition through lifestyle adjustments and has spoken about self-acceptance instead.
What was Rita Simons’ first job in entertainment?
She began as a member of the girl group Girls@Play before transitioning into acting.
Is Rita Simons married?
Yes. She married Ben Harlow on 15 September 2025. She was previously married to hairdresser Theo Silveston from 2006 to 2020.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.