Weakest Link appearance, we look back at her life - including a very famous relative. READ MORE: Coleen Nolan 'mortified' and 'sick' at new man's 'first TV interview' Soap fans will recognise Rita as the feisty Roxy Mitchell.
The star brought a number of iconic story-lines to life during her years on the show, with her character ultimately drowning in a swimming pool alongside her on-screen sister Ronnie, My London reports.
Rita was born in Leytonstone, East London, to Susan and Mark Simons. She has an older brother whose name is Ben. Rita married hairdresser Theo Silverston in August 2004 and the couple share twin daughters, however, they separated in 2018.
Behind her last EastEnders scenes, the star was dealing with the end of her 14-year marriage, working non-stop and battling depression and insomnia.