’EastEnders’ actress Rita Simons has revealed her heartbreak at being axed from her role as Roxy Mitchell.
The star is bowing out from the BBC One soap in the coming weeks, alongside on-screen sister Samantha Womack, who plays Ronnie, after the show’s new boss dropped them in a cast shake-up.
Rita has now spoken for the first time since news of her exit was announced in August, admitting she has spent days on set crying while filming her final scenes.
“We’ve taken it in turns to be upset because one of us needs to be strong for the other. It was tiring. Emotionally tiring,” she said of filming her final scenes.
However, Rita also admitted she saw her axing as “being given a kick”, believing the universe has guided her where to go next.
Claiming she is “exhilarated” to be moving on from Albert Square, Rita added “it kind of broke her heart” leaving the cast and 150 crew members behind.
Barbara Windsor - who played Roxy and Ronnie’s aunt, Peggy, until the matriarch was killed off earlier this year - previously slammed the decision to axe the characters, who will reportedly be killed off on New Year’s Day.
“It wasn’t the girls’ choice. It’s the new producer’s decision,” she told The Sun. “I’m sure he’ll be good for the show, but that is a mistake. When I heard I was shocked.”
Samantha then tweeted shortly after: “Feeling loved and supported by my Auntie P. Love her forever.”
It was recently announced Rita had landed her first post-’EastEnders’ role, playing Paulette in a touring production of West End show ‘Legally Blonde’.
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