'EastEnders': Roxy Mitchell Actress Rita Simons Reveals Her Heartbreak At Soap Axe

’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. 

She told The Sun: “[Samantha] would have a day where she couldn’t stop crying and I would be really cold and strong and I would look after her. Then the next day it would be me who’d be set off by a packet of coffee or whatever and she would be strong.

“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. 

“I can only explain it as the most exhilarating and upsetting experience – it kind of goes hand in hand.”

However, Rita also admitted she saw her axing as “being given a kick”, believing the universe has guided her where to go next. 

“Obviously I knew that I couldn’t stay there forever, and I didn’t want to stay there forever. The problem is, because I love everyone so much there and it’s such a family environment, you get very used to being there,” she explained. 

“I know in my heart of hearts it’s the right thing to do. I needed to get out. I needed to spread my wings. But because they’re like my family there, you don’t want to leave them.”

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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