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Rita Simons

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Rita Simons BIO

Rita is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in BBC's Eastenders and is one of Britain’s best loved TV actresses. She won Most Popular Newcomer at the National Television Awards and other awards and nominations include Best Newcomer at the Digital Spy Soap Awards, Best Onscreen Partnership for her character partnership with Ronnie Mitchell played by Samantha Womack, Best Newcomer at the TV Now awards, a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2008 British Soap Awards and Best Newcomer at the 2008 Inside Soap Awards.



Rita has also appeared in Mile High, Dream Team and toured the UK and Ireland as Paulette Bonafonte in hit musical Legally Blonde.

In Spring 2012, Rita was the subject of a major documentary film Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness and Me made by Leopard Films for primetime BBC1. Rita actively supports the charity RNID.

Rita’s most recent credits include Lisa Prescott in The Krays: Dead Man Walking, an untold chapter from the notorious legend of the Kray Twins, Caro Harcourt in the UK Tour of Peter James’ The House in Cold Hill and Miss Hedge in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at London’s Apollo Theatre.

In 2018, Rita was a campmate on ITV's I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here where she endured countless trials and became camp mum on the most watched TV programme of 2018!

Rita Simons STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
London Revival, 2021
Velma Von Tussle [Replacement]

[West End]
West End Transfer, 2021
Miss Hedge [Replacement]


Rita Simons News


UK Tour of Peter James' WISH YOU WERE DEAD Will Visit Milton Keynes Theatre


The UK tour of Peter James' Wish You Were Dead will visit Milton Keynes Theatre, 25 Apr - Sat 29 Apr.

George Rainsford, Giovanna Fletcher & Clive Mantle to Star in WISH YOU WERE DEAD UK Tour


The UK tour of Peter James’ Wish You Were Dead: George Rainsford, will star as James’ famous detective DSI Roy Grace, alongside Giovanna Fletcher who will star as Cleo Morey and Clive Mantle, who will star as Curtis. Leon Stewart will return to the role of DS Glenn Branson.

Cast Announced For UK Tour of WISH YOU WERE DEAD


Producer Josh Andrews has announced the lead cast for the UK tour of Peter James’ Wish You Were Dead: George Rainsford, will star as James’ famous detective DSI Roy Grace, alongside Giovanna Fletcher who will star as Cleo Morey and Clive Mantle, who will star as Curtis. Leon Stewart will return to the role of DS Glenn Branson.

WISH YOU WERE DEAD Will Embark on UK Tour in 2023


Following the critically acclaimed smash-hit primetime ITV series 'Grace', based on the best-selling novels by the UK's number one crime author Peter James, producer Joshua Andrews is delighted to announce the world stage premiere of James' novel 'Wish You Were Dead' - featuring DSI Roy Grace.

Rita Simons, Harriet Thorpe, Hayley Tamaddon, Leanne Jones, and Wendi Peters Will Lead New UK Tour of STEPPING OUT


David Ball Productions and Paul Woolf for Kings Theatre Portsmouth are delighted to announce the new UK Tour of Richard Harris's Stepping Out, starring Rita Simons, Harriet Thorpe, Hayley Tamaddon, Leanne Jones and Wendi Peters.  The UK Tour opens on Monday 5 September 2022 at Kings Theatre Portsmouth.

Photos: First Look at Adam Woodyatt and Laurie Brett in LOOKING GOOD DEAD at Glasgow Theatre Royal


Adam Woodyatt and Laurie Brett will reunite as husband and wife, but this time on stage in the acclaimed World Premiere touring stage production of the Peter James best-selling novel “LOOKING GOOD DEAD”, which opens at Glasgow Theatre Royal this week.

Laurie Brett Will Reunite With Adam Woodyatt In LOOKING GOOD DEAD


Laurie and Adam famously starred as husband and wife Ian and Jane Beale in BBC's EastEnders. The rest of the cast of “LOOKING GOOD DEAD” includes Harry Long as Roy Grace, Ian Houghton as Jonas, Leon Stewart as Branson, Gemma Stroyan as Bella, Luke Ward-Wilkinson as Max Bryce, Mylo McDonald as Mick and Natalie Boakye as Janie.

Harry Long, Ian Houghton & More Join World Premiere of LOOKING GOOD DEAD at Theatre Royal Brighton


Peter James and producer Joshua Andrews have announced full casting for the World Premiere stage production of the Peter James bestselling novel Looking Good Dead. 

HAIRSPRAY Rehearses 12 New Performers to Avoid Further Performance Cancellations


This comes after the show was forced to close on July 4 after a cast member tested positive for COVID-19. The closure period extended on July 12 due to “a small number of isolated positive cases of Covid-19 within the company.'

LOOKING GOOD DEAD Will Premiere at Milton Keynes Theatre Next Month


Hours after picking up a USB memory stick, left behind on a train seat, Tom Bryce inadvertently becomes a witness to a vicious murder. Reporting the crime to the police has disastrous consequences, placing him and his family in grave danger. When Detective Superintendent Roy Grace becomes involved, he has his own demons to contend with while he tries to crack the case in time to save the Bryce family's lives.

HAIRSPRAY Extends Cancelled Performances Through 18 July After Member of Team Tests Positive For COVID-19


Learn more about options for ticketholders, including rebooking for a new date, or receiving a full refund.

HAIRSPRAY Cancels Performances Through 13 July After Member of Team Tests Positive For COVID-19


Learn more about options for ticketholders, including rebooking for a new date, or receiving a full refund.

HAIRSPRAY Cancels Today's Matinee Due to Suspected Case of COVID-19 Among Production Team


If you are a ticketholder for today's performance, learn more about options for refunds or exchanging your tickets to an alternative date.

Review Roundup: HAIRSPRAY Returns to the West End; What Did the Critics Think?


Hairspray has returned to the West End, playing at the London Coliseum through 29 September 2021. Read reviews from BroadwayWorld, WhatsOnStage, and more!

Photo Flash: First Look at Michael Ball, Lizzie Bea, Marisha Wallace, and More in HAIRSPRAY


The production is now playing at the London Coliseum, running 21 June through 29 September 2021.

BWW Review: HAIRSPRAY, London Coliseum


Returning to London after more than a decade, and a few false starts, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s musical is, to quote the closing number of act one, “big, blonde, and beautiful”. 

VIDEO: Inside HAIRSPRAY's Return to London's West End!


This week the smash hit musical Hairspray made its big return to the West End stage! Get a peek inside the show's joyous first performance here!

Full Cast Announced for World Premiere Production of LOOKING GOOD DEAD Starring Adam Woodyatt & Gaynor Faye


As rehearsals begin this week, Peter James and producer Joshua Andrews have announced full casting for the World Premiere stage production of the Peter James best-selling novel “LOOKING GOOD DEAD”. 

Gaynor Faye To Join Adam Woodyatt In LOOKING GOOD DEAD


TV and Stage star Gaynor Faye will play Kellie Bryce in the World Premiere stage production of the Peter James best-selling novel “LOOKING GOOD DEAD”.

Les Dennis Joins the Cast of HAIRSPRAY at The London Coliseum


Entertainment legend Les Dennis will join the new production of Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the London Coliseum from Monday 21st June – Wednesday 29th September 2021.

Rita Simons FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Rita Simons been in?

Rita Simons has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Rita Simons been in?

Rita Simons has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Rita Simons's first West End show?

Rita Simons's first West End show was Everybody's Talking About Jamie which opened in 2021

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