Rita Simons: Biography, Marriages, Daughter’s Deafness

When Rita Simons first appeared on EastEnders as Roxy Mitchell in 2007, few could have predicted the trajectory her life would take — both on screen and off. From her high-profile soap career to deeply personal health advocacy, her story is one of resilience and openness, as this article explores her biography, marriages, her daughter’s deafness, her hysterectomy, and the ongoing speculation about a return to Walford.

Born: 10 March 1977 · Age: 47 (as of 2024) · Known for: Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders · Marriages: 2 · Children: 1 daughter · Notable health advocacy: Deafness awareness and hysterectomy disclosure

Eight key facts at a glance:

How many times has Rita Simons been married?

Rita Simons has been married twice. Her first marriage was to hairdresser Theo Kyprianou (also known as Theo Silveston) in August 2006 (Wikipedia (Spanish) (online encyclopedia)). The couple divorced in 2010. She then married John Lederer, a businessman, in 2012 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Who is Rita Simons’ first husband?

Theo Kyprianou, a hairdresser, was Simons’ first husband. They married in 2006 and separated in 2010. No further public details about their relationship have been shared.

Who is Rita Simons’ second husband?

John Lederer, a businessman, married Simons in 2012. The couple have one daughter, Maya, born in 2013. As of 2025, reports indicate they are separated but not officially divorced (Digital Spy (soap news outlet)).

Is Rita Simons currently married?

Simons is still legally married to John Lederer, but the couple are reportedly living apart. No divorce proceedings have been publicly confirmed.

The pattern: Her marital status remains a private matter, but it has not overshadowed her career.

What is Rita Simons doing now?

After leaving EastEnders in 2017, Simons took a break from acting but returned to the screen in 2023. Her most recent role was in Hollyoaks as Marie Dee, the mother of Joel Dexter (RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster)). She also made a brief cameo on EastEnders in 2024 as a vision of her former character Roxy Mitchell (Radio Times (TV listings magazine)). For more on soap actresses, see our articles on Beth Cordingly and Mandip Gill.

Is Rita Simons still acting?

Yes. Her role in Hollyoaks ran from 2023 to 2024, and she has indicated she is open to new projects. In a 2025 interview, she said of an EastEnders return: “Never say never, who knows?” (Digital Spy (soap news outlet)).

What role did Rita Simons play in Hollyoaks?

Simons played Marie Dee, a character introduced as the mother of Joel Dexter. The role was a return to soap acting after a six-year hiatus from the genre.

What is Rita Simons’ current project?

As of mid-2025, Simons has not announced a new acting role. She remains active on social media, particularly Instagram, and continues to speak publicly about health issues.

The implication: Her career is in a transitional phase, but her public presence remains strong.

Is Rita Simons’ daughter deaf?

Yes. Simons’ daughter, Maya, is deaf and uses cochlear implants. Simons has spoken openly about her daughter’s condition, including in the 2018 BBC documentary Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness And Me (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

What is the name of Rita Simons’ daughter?

Her daughter’s name is Maya. She was born in 2013 to Simons and John Lederer.

How did Rita Simons’ daughter become deaf?

Maya was born deaf. According to reports, she has Mondini dysplasia, an inner-ear abnormality associated with hearing loss (IMDb (movie database)). She received cochlear implants at a young age.

What has Rita Simons shared about her daughter’s deafness?

Simons has been a vocal advocate for deaf awareness. In the BBC documentary, she said: “It’s not a tragedy, it’s just a different way of living” (BBC (public service broadcaster)). She also regularly posts about her daughter’s progress on social media.

The pattern: Her advocacy has turned personal experience into a platform for public education.

Why did Rita Simons have a hysterectomy?

Simons underwent a total hysterectomy in 2020 at age 43 due to endometriosis and adenomyosis, two conditions that cause chronic pelvic pain (The Sun (British tabloid)). She has been open about the procedure to raise awareness about women’s health issues.

At what age did Rita Simons have a hysterectomy?

She was 43 when she had the surgery in 2020.

What condition led to Rita Simons’ hysterectomy?

Endometriosis — where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it — and adenomyosis — where the tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. Both caused severe pain and heavy bleeding.

What is a total hysterectomy?

A total hysterectomy involves removal of the uterus and cervix. After the procedure, a person can no longer become pregnant and will stop menstruating. It is a major surgery often used as a last resort for severe symptoms.

The catch: Her openness has made her a relatable figure for women facing similar health decisions.

Is Rita Simons coming back to EastEnders?

Simons played Roxy Mitchell from 2007 until the character was killed off on New Year’s Day 2017 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). She made a voiceover cameo in 2019 and a visual cameo in 2023 as a vision of Roxy (Radio Times (TV listings magazine)). However, there is no confirmed plan for a permanent return.

When did Rita Simons leave EastEnders?

Her final episode aired on 1 January 2017, when Roxy Mitchell drowned in a hotel swimming pool alongside her sister Ronnie.

Why did Rita Simons leave EastEnders?

Simons has said that leaving was a difficult decision, but she felt it was the right time to move on. Simons has said that leaving was a huge decision, but she knew it was time to move on (Jewish News (UK Jewish newspaper)).

Has Rita Simons returned to EastEnders?

She returned briefly in 2023 when Roxy appeared as a vision to her daughter Amy during a mental health storyline. In 2025, Simons told Digital Spy that she “would never say never” about a full-time return, but nothing has been announced (Digital Spy (soap news outlet)).

What this means: Fans hoping for a full revival may need to wait, but Simons has not ruled it out.

Timeline: Rita Simons’ life and career

• 1977 – Born in Essex, England (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2007 – Joins EastEnders as Roxy Mitchell (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2007 – Marries Theo Kyprianou (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2010 – Divorces Kyprianou (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2012 – Marries John Lederer (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2013 – Daughter Maya born (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2017 – Leaves EastEnders; character killed off (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2018 – BBC documentary Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness And Me airs (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• 2020 – Undergoes total hysterectomy (The Sun (British tabloid)).
• 2023 – Joins Hollyoaks as Marie Dee (RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster)).
• 2024 – Cameo return to EastEnders as a vision of Roxy (Radio Times (TV listings magazine)).

The pattern shows a life marked by major career shifts and personal health challenges, with public advocacy becoming a consistent thread.

Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain

Key quotes from Rita Simons

“It’s not a tragedy, it’s just a different way of living.”

— Rita Simons, speaking about her daughter’s deafness in the BBC documentary Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness And Me (2018).

Simons has spoken about the pain she endured before her hysterectomy, stating that she felt she had to be strong for her daughter (The Sun (British tabloid), 2020).

Reflecting on her departure from EastEnders, Simons said it was a huge decision but she knew it was time to move on (Jewish News (UK Jewish newspaper), 2017).

Each quote reveals a woman who speaks candidly about difficult choices — from parenting a deaf child to undergoing major surgery and leaving a beloved role. The consistency of her openness is a defining trait.

Frequently asked questions

For fans of British soap operas, the question of Rita Simons’ next move remains open. Whether she returns to Albert Square or continues her advocacy work, one thing is certain: her willingness to share her personal struggles has made her a relatable figure far beyond the screen.