Rita Joanne Simons (born 10 March 1977) is an English actress, singer, and model from London, who is known for playing Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2007 to 2017, when her character was killed off. For her performance on the show Simons received many accolades, including the 2008 National Television Award for Most Popular Newcomer.
Simons was born to Susan (née Franks) and Mark Simons. Both of her parents are Jewish. She has an older brother, Ben. Through her paternal aunt's marriage, Simons is the niece of Billionaire businessman Lord Sugar, who is best known in the BBC reality series The Apprentice.
In August 2006, she married hairdresser Theo Silveston, whom she met through a friend when she was 19. They have twin daughters. Simons is best friends with co-star Samantha Womack, who played her on-screen sister Ronnie Mitchell. In March 2008, The Sun reported that Simons was diagnosed with scoliosis disorder, which causes the spine to bend side to side, and is the reason why Simons is two inches shorter than she should be.