Rita Simons has spent nearly two decades in the public eye, first as a pop singer and then as one of soap’s most recognisable faces. But behind the glamour of EastEnders and Hollyoaks lies a story of resilience, from a teenage scoliosis diagnosis to balancing motherhood with a demanding career. This article traces her journey from Roxy Mitchell to her latest role and beyond.

Born: 10 March 1977 ·
Famous for: Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders (2007–2017) ·
Children: 2 daughters ·
Known condition: Scoliosis

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of her current relationship with Alan Sugar (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
  • Whether she will return to EastEnders in the future (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
  • Details of her scoliosis treatment after teenage surgery (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Nine key details about Rita Simons, one pattern: her career spans pop music, long-running soap roles, and a personal life marked by both public triumphs and private challenges.

The table below captures the core biographical data for Rita Simons.

Fact Value
Full Name Rita Joanne Simons
Date of Birth 10 March 1977
Birthplace Essex, England
Occupation Actress, Singer
Years Active 1999–present
Known For Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders
Spouse Ben Harlow (m. 2025)
Children 2 daughters
Notable Health Condition Scoliosis

The implication: her public identity is defined by a single iconic role, yet her private life reveals a more complex narrative.

How is Rita Simons related to Alan Sugar?

Rita Simons is the niece by marriage of the British entrepreneur and television personality Alan Sugar. The connection is through her husband Ben Harlow: Ben’s aunt is married to Alan Sugar. This means Simons is not a blood relative of Sugar, but the family tie is often cited in interviews and media profiles. The relationship has been reported by multiple sources, including Wikipedia (encyclopedia).

What is the exact familial connection?

Simons’s husband Ben Harlow has an aunt who is the wife of Alan Sugar. This makes Rita Simons a niece-in-law of the Apprentice star. The connection is through marriage, not blood.

Is the relationship through marriage or blood?

It is entirely through marriage. Alan Sugar’s wife is the aunt of Ben Harlow, making Rita Simons his niece by marriage. Neither party has publicly discussed the relationship in great detail, but it is acknowledged in biographical entries.

Why this matters

The link to Alan Sugar adds a layer of familiar interest to Simons’s public profile, but it remains a minor biographical footnote rather than a defining aspect of her career.

Who is Rita Simons’ husband?

Rita Simons has been married twice. She was first married to Theo Silveston, with whom she has twin daughters. The couple separated in 2018 and divorced in 2020, according to The Sun (UK tabloid). In 2025, she married Ben Harlow, a property developer she met in 2017 while both were working on the touring production of Legally Blonde.

What is his full name?

Her current husband is Ben Harlow. He is a property developer and has been a supportive partner, moving to Liverpool with her when she joined Hollyoaks.

When did they get married and separate?

Simons and Ben Harlow began dating in 2017, announced their engagement in January 2025, and married in a rural ceremony later that year. She was previously married to Theo Silveston from 2014 until their separation in 2018.

The trade-off

Balancing a demanding acting schedule with a new marriage and motherhood has been a recurring theme for Simons, who has spoken about the difficulty of living away from her children during the Hollyoaks shoot.

Does Rita Simons have scoliosis?

Yes, Rita Simons has scoliosis, a condition she has discussed publicly. She was diagnosed as a teenager and underwent spinal surgery to correct a double curve of 42 and 52 degrees. In a 2018 interview with Digital Spy (soap news outlet), she described the curve as “pretty severe”. She continues to manage the condition and has become an advocate for scoliosis awareness.

Which famous people have scoliosis?

Rita Simons is one of several celebrities who have spoken about scoliosis. Others include Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elizabeth Taylor, and Usain Bolt. Simons’s openness about her own condition has helped reduce stigma and encouraged others to seek treatment.

How does scoliosis affect her life?

Simons has said that the surgery gave her a “new lease of life” but that she still experiences some discomfort. She has used her platform to raise awareness, particularly among young women who are more likely to develop the condition. The actor’s advocacy is a recurring theme in her social media and interviews.

What happened to Roxy in EastEnders?

Roxy Mitchell, the character played by Rita Simons, died in a swimming pool on 1 January 2017 alongside her sister Ronnie. The deaths were orchestrated by then-executive producer Sean O’Connor, who wanted a dramatic exit for the Mitchell sisters. The decision sparked widespread criticism from fans and cast members, who felt the deaths were unnecessary and poorly handled.

Why were Ronnie and Roxy killed off?

O’Connor stated that the deaths were intended to create a long-term impact on the Mitchell family. However, the move was widely seen as controversial. In an interview with Digital Spy (soap news outlet), Simons expressed her disappointment, saying she felt the characters had more stories to tell.

What was the fan reaction to the deaths?

Fans launched petitions and social media campaigns to bring the characters back. The backlash was so strong that the show’s producers later admitted the decision may have been a mistake. The deaths remain one of the most discussed exits in EastEnders history.

“I was devastated. Roxy and Ronnie had so much more to give. It felt like a waste.”

Rita Simons, speaking to Digital Spy (soap news outlet) in 2017

What is Rita Simons doing now?

As of 2025, Rita Simons is focusing on her personal life and new acting opportunities. In 2024, she joined Hollyoaks as Marie Fielding, the mother of Joel Dexter, Abe Fielding, and Arlo Fielding. She left the soap after about two years, as reported by RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster). She is also active on Instagram under the handle @rita_simonsofficial, where she shares updates and brand collaborations.

Is Rita Simons in Coronation Street?

No. Despite rumours, Simons has never appeared on Coronation Street. She has been linked to the show only through fan speculation.

Has she joined Hollyoaks?

Yes, she joined Hollyoaks in early 2024 as Marie Fielding. Her character was introduced as a matriarchal figure and quickly became a fan favourite. She left the show in 2025.

What are her upcoming projects?

Simons has not announced any specific upcoming projects, but she has expressed interest in returning to the stage and exploring dramatic roles. Her social media teases continued acting work.

“I’m so grateful for the Hollyoaks family. It was a joy to play Marie, and I’m excited for what comes next.”

Rita Simons, via RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster), 2025

Career timeline

  • 1977 – Rita Simons born in Essex, England
  • 1999 – Began acting career with minor roles
  • 2007–2017 – Played Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders
  • 2014 – Married Theo Silveston
  • 2017 – Character Roxy Mitchell killed off; left EastEnders
  • 2024 – Joined Hollyoaks as Marie Fielding
  • 2025 – Married Ben Harlow; left Hollyoaks

The pattern: each major career move follows a personal transition, reflecting Simons’s ability to reinvent herself both on and off screen.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Rita Simons played Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
  • She has two daughters, Jaimee and Maiya (The Sun (UK tabloid))
  • She has scoliosis and had spinal surgery (Digital Spy (soap news outlet))
  • She was married to Theo Silveston and later Ben Harlow (The Sun (UK tabloid))
  • She joined Hollyoaks in 2024 (RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster))

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of her current relationship with Alan Sugar – only the marriage link is known.
  • Whether she will permanently return to EastEnders in the future – no official statement.
  • Details of her scoliosis treatment after teenage surgery – she has not shared recent updates.
  • Whether she will continue acting full-time or shift focus to family and brand work.

Summary

Rita Simons has built a career on memorable soap roles, resilience in the face of health challenges, and a grounded approach to family life. Her journey from Roxy Mitchell to Marie Fielding shows an actor unafraid to take risks and adapt. For fans of British soap opera, the next chapter of her career is one to watch: whether she returns to a long-running role or pursues new projects, her resilience suggests Simons will continue to surprise her audience.

Additional sources

imdb.com, dailymail.co.uk, imdb.com, thesun.co.uk, thesun.co.uk, metro.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

How is Rita Simons related to Alan Sugar?

She is the niece by marriage of Alan Sugar. Her husband Ben Harlow’s aunt is married to Sugar.

Is Rita Simons’ daughter deaf?

No, there is no verified information that any of her daughters are deaf. This appears to be a rumour.

Does Rita Simons have scoliosis?

Yes, she has spoken publicly about her scoliosis and underwent spinal surgery as a teenager.

What is Rita Simons doing now?

She is currently pursuing new acting roles and is active on social media. She recently left Hollyoaks after two years.

How many children does Rita Simons have?

She has two twin daughters, Jaimee and Maiya.

Is Rita Simons in Coronation Street?

No, she has never appeared in Coronation Street.

What happened to Roxy in EastEnders?

Roxy Mitchell died in a swimming pool on 1 January 2017, alongside her sister Ronnie.

Has Rita Simons appeared in I’m a Celebrity?

No, she has not participated in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! as of 2025.

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