Hollyoaks' Rita Simons reflects on former party days ahead of soap star reality show
Hollyoaks star Rita Simons has reflected on her former days of partying ahead of her appearance on new reality show Drama Queens.
The star recently joined the Channel 4 soap as Marie Fielding following a decade-long stint as Roxy Mitchell on BBC soap EastEnders, which came to an end in 2017.
Simons is part of a stacked roster for Drama Queens, a reality show featuring several soap stars from Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street, with the star revealing that the show will show how much she’s changed over the years.
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“I think it’s going to surprise people to see another side to me,” began Simons. “I’m still associated with playing Roxy and they get confused and think I’m her and I’m not. Marie is totally different from Roxy, and I’m actually different from both characters.
“So now people will get a chance to see the real me. In the old days I was the ultimate party girl. I loved the Ibiza era but I’ve grown up. It’s nice to show a side people don’t expect. People ask: ‘Been to any good parties?’ I’m like: ‘No... I’m in bed by 8pm’.”
Simons, who relocated from London to Liverpool in order to film Hollyoaks, also spoke about the process of filming Drama Queens, saying: “It was access all areas, I literally let them film me when I was in the loo! You’re not going to see me sobbing - I did that when I left London.
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“But I do talk about my kids not being here. They’re going to be 18 and off to university soon so it’s like I’ve got empty nest syndrome a bit early. I’ve been trying to talk them both into going to Liverpool Uni! They’ve been up to stay - we are very close.”
In addition to Simons, the cast for Drama Queens will also feature Amy Walsh, Brooke Vincent, Ellie Leach, Jamelia, Jorgie Porter, Laura Norton, Lucy Fallon and Roxy Shahidi.
Drama Queens will premiere on ITVBe at 9pm on April 10. Hollyoaks streams first online via Channel 4 each weekday at 7.30pm. Episodes then air on E4 the following day, before getting their YouTube premiere a week after that.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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