Rita Simons: Biography, Partner, Daughter’s Deafness, Career
Few soap exits hit as hard as Roxy Mitchell’s death in EastEnders, but the woman who played her, Rita Simons, has a story far beyond Albert Square. From her twin daughters to her own journey raising a child with hearing loss, here is a grounded look at the actress’s family, career, and what she’s doing now.
Age: 47 (born March 10, 1977) ·
Children: Twin daughters ·
Known for: Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders ·
Documentary: My Daughter, Deafness and Me (2012)
Quick snapshot
- Born 10 March 1977 in London, England (IMDb (actor database))
- Played Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders from 2007 (BroadwayWorld (performance news site))
- Married hairdresser Theo Silveston in 2004 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Has twin daughters, one of whom has severe hearing loss (BBC Media Centre (broadcaster’s press office))
- Current romantic relationship status after separation in 2018 (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia))
- Exact net worth – estimates vary (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia))
- Future acting projects beyond known filmography (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia))
- ADHD diagnosis (no authoritative source) (Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia))
- 2004: Married Theo Silveston (Wikipedia)
- 2007: Joined EastEnders (BroadwayWorld)
- 2012: BBC documentary on her daughter’s deafness (BBC Programmes (TV schedule))
- 2018: Separated from husband (Kiddle)
“Rita Simons married hairdresser Theo Silveston in 2004.” – Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
Eight key facts about Rita Simons, pulled from verified sources, give a clear picture of her biography.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rita Joanne Simons (Booking Agent Info (talent booking database)) |
| Date of birth | March 10, 1977 (IMDb) |
| Place of birth | London, England (London Theatre Direct (West End ticket site)) |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1999–present (IMDb) |
| Notable role | Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders (BroadwayWorld) |
| Children | Twin daughters (BBC Media Centre) |
| Marital status | Separated from Theo Silveston (since 2018) (Kiddle) |
Who is Rita Simons’ partner?
Who is Rita Simons’ husband?
- Rita Simons married hairdresser Theo Silveston in 2004, according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia). The couple separated in 2018, as reported by Kiddle (children’s encyclopedia).
- She reportedly met Silveston when she was 19, though details remain unconfirmed (JewAge (community wiki)).
How many kids does Rita Simons have?
- Rita Simons has twin daughters. The BBC confirmed this in a 2012 press release for her documentary (BBC Media Centre).
- One of her twins, Maiya, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at six months old (BBC Blog (broadcaster’s behind‑the‑scenes)).
Is Rita Simons married?
She is no longer married. After separating in 2018, Simons and Silveston divorced. There is no official information about a current partner.
Rita Simons gained public sympathy by sharing her daughter’s hearing journey, but it also kept her private life under scrutiny — especially during her marriage breakdown.
The implication: Public interest in her personal life remains high even as she keeps details guarded.
Is Rita Simons’ daughter deaf?
“Maiya was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at six months old.” – BBC Media Centre
How does Rita Simons cope with her daughter’s deafness?
- In 2012, BBC One aired Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness and Me, documenting her visit to a specialist school for deaf children (BBC Programmes (TV schedule)).
- The Jewish Chronicle (London‑based newspaper) reported that Maiya is profoundly deaf in one ear and severely impaired in the other.
- A review on Limping Chicken (deaf culture blog) noted that Maiya was born moderately deaf and her hearing progressively worsened.
Does Rita Simons have ADHD?
There is no verifiable evidence from authoritative sources that Rita Simons has been diagnosed with ADHD. Some online discussions have raised the question, but no doctor’s statement or credible media report confirms it.
What is Rita Simons’ daughter’s name?
Her daughter’s name is Maiya (BBC Media Centre).
Simons turned a personal struggle into public advocacy, launching the RNID Christmas Concert in 2010 (Wikipedia). Her openness helped normalise conversations around childhood deafness.
The pattern: Raising awareness became a secondary career track for the actress.
What is Rita Simons doing now?
Is Rita Simons in Hollyoaks?
Search queries frequently associate Rita Simons with Hollyoaks, but no confirmed casting credit has been found in reliable sources. The association appears to be internet speculation (BroadwayWorld – no Hollyoaks credit).
Has Rita Simons been on I’m a Celebrity…?
There is no record in credible media outlets of her participating in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!. The claim likely stems from fan‑driven wish‑lists.
What movies and TV shows has Rita Simons been in?
- Besides her iconic role as Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders (2007–2013, 2018–2019), Simons appeared in Dream Team and the film The Krays: Dead Man Walking (2018) (IMDb).
- She also performed on stage, including in the musical Children of Eden (London Theatre Direct).
What this means: Career momentum has stalled, but the door remains open for a return.
Are Samantha Womack and Rita Simons friends?
There is no verified information about a friendship between Rita Simons and Samantha Womack from authoritative sources.
How old is Rita Simons?
Where is Rita Simons from?
Rita Simons was born in London, England (London Theatre Direct). She spent her early years in Essex.
What is Rita Simons’ early life?
- She began her career as a singer in the girl group Girls@Play, active from 1999 (IMDb).
- She later moved into acting, landing her breakthrough as Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders in 2007 (BroadwayWorld).
What is Rita Simons’ net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly documented. Various unverified estimates suggest around £1 million, but no trusted financial source has confirmed it.
The catch: Financial speculation fills the gap left by official disclosure.
Clarity: facts vs. speculation
Confirmed facts
- Rita Simons was born on March 10, 1977.
- She played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders.
- She married Theo Silveston in 2004 and separated in 2018.
- She has twin daughters; one, Maiya, has profound hearing loss.
- She fronted a BBC documentary about her daughter’s deafness in 2012.
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status after divorce.
- Exact net worth.
- Reported ADHD diagnosis (no authoritative source).
- Involvement in Hollyoaks or I’m a Celebrity.
The pattern: The gap between what is known and what is speculated remains wide.
For another perspective on navigating deafness in the public eye, read about Tasha Ghouris deafness journey and her experience on Strictly Come Dancing.
Frequently asked questions
Did Rita Simons win any awards for EastEnders?
She was nominated for Best Actress at the 2010 TV Choice Awards but did not win. No major award wins are recorded.
How did Rita Simons start her career?
She began as a singer in Girls@Play before transitioning to acting, landing her first TV role in Dream Team.
Is Rita Simons active on social media?
She maintains a verified Instagram account (@missritasimons) where she posts about family and occasional acting updates.
What is Rita Simons’ relationship with her children?
She has spoken warmly of her twin daughters, particularly Maiya, and has been active in deaf awareness events.
Has Rita Simons written a book?
No book has been published as of 2025.
What are Rita Simons’ upcoming projects?
No confirmed upcoming projects are listed in reputable entertainment databases.
Is Rita Simons involved in charity work?
Yes, she launched the RNID Christmas Concert in 2010 and has supported Action on Hearing Loss.
For Rita Simons, the challenge of balancing public fame with private hardship — her daughter’s deafness, a failed marriage, and career uncertainty — is far from unique. But her willingness to put those struggles on camera gave millions of parents a model of grace under pressure. The trade‑off is that the public now expects a next step she hasn’t yet announced.
Rita Simons demonstrated that a soap star can use her platform to destigmatise childhood hearing loss. For parents facing the same diagnosis, her documentary remains a go‑to resource.
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