BEHIND THE SCENES WITH best

‘I’veworkedalot– Ican’tcomplain’

Rita Simons, 42, played Roxy in EastEnders for 10 years, before her character was killed off. The mum-of-two is now a star of musical theatre and plays Velma Von Tussle.

What did you know about Hairspray before you signed up for this?

Well, I knew the main points of the story – which are, it’s set at a time in the Sixties where they were not down with integration. I know my character, Velma, who is the producer of a dance show, does not want to tolerate any form of integration – and then the lovely Tracy comes along, and it all goes from there.

Do you like playing baddies? Oh I LOVE it! I’ve played quite a few now and they are so much fun.

Hairspray is set in 1962, when white and black kids couldn’t dance together. Do you think these issues still need to be highlighted today?

Absolutely, because the Sixties is not that long ago. Back then, it was commonplace to be racist and not tolerate integration of any kind, but in the age we are living in now it’s thankfully totally inappropriate. We’ve come so far, and yet it does still happen – so it is an important message.

You have done quite a few musicals now...

Everybody’s TalkingAboutJamie – I had the stage door opposite Michael Ball in LesMis! And then I did LegallyBlonde, as hairdresser Paulette. This will be my next big musical. I am so looking forward to it.

It sounds like you’ve been keeping really busy!

The last time I was at home for a substantial amount of time was nearly two years ago. I had a few months off after the Legally Blonde tour but, apart from that, since leaving EastEnders I’ve been on the road constantly. I’ve been lucky. I’ve worked a lot since

I left, so I really can’t complain!

l Hairspray runs at the London Coliseum from 23 April to 29 August.