“Sam Womack and I would love to work together on stage”
Rita Simons is going back to her musical roots as she joins the cast of Legally Blonde – but she has many fond memories of Albert Square…
There are some final scenes in soap that are simply unforgettable – and the image of tragic Roxy and Ronnie drowned together in a hotel swimming pool will never leave us. The controversial decision to axe Walford’s Mitchell sisters shocked many people, but the Gothic tragedy was a stunning finale. For star Rita Simons, it brought a decade of drama in the show to an end, and in the 12 months since, she’s been back on the stage and enjoying quality time with her family. With all the time that’s passed, she was shocked to discover the dramatic exit was up for two Inside Soap Awards…
“Wow! It’s lovely and so sweet, since it’s been nearly a year since I finished filming,” enthuses 40-year-old Rita. “To still be thought of and remembered is really nice. The final image was disturbing, wasn’t it? Who’ll tell us if we do win the Awards?”
We reassure Rita that Inside Soap will be straight on the blower, should she and co-star Samantha Womack triumph on the night. The two actresses are close, and have remained so since their swansong. “I went to see Sam performing in The Addams Family,” explains Rita. “When she came out on stage, I got a little bit emosh – I’m so proud of her! She stayed with me that night, and we had pizza. It was all very sleepover-ish.”
There’s no doubt that, despite Roxy and Ronnie’s many man troubles, the key relationship in their lives was each other. There was poetic justice in them going out together, but Rita hopes it’s not the last time that she and Sam work side by side.
“We’d love to do something together on stage, absolutely. One day!” she declares. “I had 10 fabulous years on Eastenders, and I’ve come away with one of the best friends in the world in Sam, so I can’t complain. I’m grateful for it all.”
Over the summer, Rita and husband Theo Silveston took their kids to Spain for a break – and now she can’t wait to get back to work playing the fabulous Paulette in Legally Blonde (alongside ex-dales star Bill Ward, aka James Barton).
“It was lovely to have such a nice, long break,” shares Rita. “Honestly, I’ve had the best time. I’m really excited to be doing Legally Blonde, going to new places, meeting new people. I love Paulette – she’s like an older, New York version of Roxy, another tart with a heart, another used-up old bint! She’s got a lot less confidence than Roxy, but she’s quirky, funny and great to play.”
Her new role has meant that Rita is now singing again, 17 years after her time in pop group Girls@play.
“It’s been really nice coming back to singing, and I’m comfortable doing that,” she tells us. “We’re in rehearsals now, and I’m getting to watch a lot of the other stuff on stage. I’m blown away by the rest of the show – the talent level in this cast is unreal.”
It sounds as if Rita is destined to have a great time as she goes on tour, and she’s obviously enjoying being back on stage. But would she ever swap Albert Square for another soap destination?
“Never say never!” she grins. “I’d also love to do a comedy, gangster film or more TV. Sam and I think it would be great to do a stage version of Beaches with her and me in the lead roles!”