Inside Rita Simons' life – plush house, love split, health issues and showbiz relative

Former EastEnders superstar Rita Simons is most remembered by fans for playing fiery blonde bombshell Roxy Mitchell in the popular BBC soap.

Arriving from Ibiza alongside her older sister Ronnie in 2007, the glammed-up cousin to Phil Mitchell certainly made her mark on the show with her dramatic storylines and hilarious anecdotes.

Rita’s character Roxy went through several ups and downs while in Albert Square and had a string of failed romances and love interests under her belt.

But things came to a tragic end for the character in 2017 when Roxy and her sister Ronnie sadly died in a swimming pool on New Year’s Day.

Since leaving EastEnders, Rita has appeared on popular reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and starred in The Krays: Dead Man Walking.

Although Rita, 44, has lived quite a dramatic life on screen, many fans are unaware of what she gets up to in her private life.

So Daily Star has taken a look inside Rita’s life away from the cameras, as she heads to the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen.

Love split

Rita and her former hairdresser husband Theo Silveston met when they were just 19 years old after being introduced by mutual friends.

In 2004, the couple tied the knot and later welcomed their twin daughters Jamiee and Maiya in 2006.

But things started to become rocky in the latter part of their relationship.

Last year, Rita announced that she and Theo had divorced but according to Rita’s agent, Theo had moved out of his family home two years prior.

At the time Rita’s representative said: “Rita and Theo have been separated for almost two years and Theo moved out of the family home some time ago.

“The split has been a big change for Rita, but she knows it’s the right decision.

Sources also claimed that Rita was looking forward to a fresh start and Rita herself admitted that she finally found “healing” and “peace” since she parted ways with Theo.

Plush home

Former Walford actress Rita has a rather plush home located in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

The pad is decorated in a silver and grey theme throughout, and includes a spacious back garden and a home gym.

The mum-of-two often takes photos of her luscious family home and shares the images to her fans on Instagram.

Rita’s garden includes decking steps which lead down onto the grass area. The outdoor space has plenty of room for the dogs and her children to enjoy.

She also has what appears to be a summer house at the bottom of the garden.

Elsewhere in her gorgeous pad, Rita chose hardwood floors and striped monochrome wallpaper in her large living room.

She also has a grey crushed velvet sofa in the main living area to match the surroundings.

The living room encompasses a grand wooden table which Rita decorated with a buddha statue and candles as the main centre pieces.

On the ground floor, Rita appears to have a grand piano which sits beside a cosy fire place.

The set up looks great during the winter and throughout the Christmas period.

Upstairs, Rita’s bedroom includes a chic bed with a light grey quilted headboard. She also has silver mirrored bedside tables located on either side of the bed.

Last year, Rita posted an incredible photo from her home gym on social media and spoke candidly about the changes she’s made with her health.

The actress said: “You don’t ‘need’ a gym to train… lockdown has taught us all that. Training really is the key to mental health and wellness.

“I have worked my ass off religiously every day, taken my supplements, stopped smoking (a year in July), meditated daily, walked in the woods with my phone left at home so I could enjoy the beauty around me, and I’ve mostly given myself a break and allowed myself to be me again without judging myself.”

Health issues

Earlier this year Rita spoke frankly to OK! Magazine about her condition scoliosis and the effects it has on her spine.

She also expressed that she was often in constant pain and would consider undergoing surgery.

Speaking openly she said: “I hate my scoliosis with a passion. It’s definitely getting worse and it makes everything I wear weird. I had an X-ray not that long ago and my spine is a big old S now, and I’m in a whole world of pain most of the time.

Rita expressed that she would love to have an operation to help solve the issue and admits that the condition has made her feel more self-conscious regarding how she looks and feels about herself.

She added: “I used to say I’d never have an operation – how wrong I was. I would love to but it’s a big operation and a long rehab.”

Scoliosis is sometimes known to occur because of a previous neuromuscular condition, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.

It can also affect a person’s appearance due to the vertebrae pulling the ribs round with them, which can cause a lump to form on the person’s back or for their back to appear rounded.

According to the NHS, many people living with scoliosis will not require any treatment and only a small number will need to have surgery.

Rita has also admitted to fans that she suffers from OCD.

Showbiz relative

For those who are unaware, Rita is related to a British icon and TV firing legend.

Apprentice star and businessman Lord Alan Sugar is an uncle to Rita.

Although the pair are not directly blood-related their family connection is still very close as Lord Sugar is married to Rita’s aunt, Ann Simons.

The former soap star previously spoke about her uncle and said he is “much nicer in real life”.

Speaking to The Mirror about her famous uncle, Rita said: “He’s still straight-talking, but he’s a lot kinder” and “He loves all his grandkids and loves family time.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk