{"id":145329,"date":"2025-09-18T12:14:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/145329\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T12:14:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:14:11","slug":"eastenders-rita-simons-walked-down-the-aisle-by-iconic-popstar-at-her-wedding-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/145329\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders’ Rita Simons walked down the aisle by iconic popstar at her wedding | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Rita
\n\t\tRita Simons and Ben Harlow have tied the knot (Picture: Instagram \/ Rita Simons)<\/p>\n

EastEnders<\/a> and Hollyoaks<\/a> icon Rita Simons<\/a> has tied the knot with West End star Ben Harlow, and an iconic pop star walked her down the aisle.<\/p>\n

Rita and Ben first met while touring the UK in a production of the musical Legally Blonde, where they played on-stage love interests, with Rita starring as Paulette and Ben as Kyle.<\/p>\n

They officially started dating in 2020, two years after Rita split from her first husband of 14 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Rita took to social media to share news of their engagement<\/a>, posting selfies to Instagram<\/a> alongside Ben, showing off her ring.<\/p>\n

Now, the couple are happily married, after a stunning ceremony earlier this week at Hidden River Barn in Cumbria<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Taking to Instagram with a few snapshots of the day, Rita announced that she had \u2018married her best friend\u2019.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ben
\n\t\tRita announced their engagement earlier this year (Picture: Instagram \/ Rita Simons)<\/p>\n

\u2018I can\u2019t even put into words how special our day was\u2026mostly because we have the most incredible bunch of humans who love us unconditionally and who were prepared to travel to Hidden River Barn from all over the world to share our day. We love you all. You know who you are \u2026sorry there\u2019s gonna be a ton of pics to follow!\u2019 She wrote alongside the post.<\/p>\n

She went on to give a shoutout to her two daughters, Maiya and Jaimee, as well as a special thank you to Duncan James.<\/p>\n

The singer, who is one quarter of the boyband Blue, walked the actress down the aisle, and even joined her on stage for a duet during the celebrations.<\/p>\n

Her co-stars from EastEnders and Hollyoaks alike were quick to share their congratulations, with on-screen daughter Amy Mitchell star Ellie Dadd writing: \u2018Congratulations Rita and Ben.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Congratulations beautiful lady,\u2019 Hollyoaks\u2019 Anna Passey<\/a> wrote, while EastEnders\u2019 Matt Di Angelo<\/a> left a series of love heart emojis.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tDuncan James walked Rita down the aisle (Picture: Instagram \/ Rita Simons)<\/p>\n

Rita became a prominent figure on British TV when she took on the role of Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders in 2007.<\/p>\n

The character was a fan favourite and was at the centre of some major storylines during her nine years on Albert Square.<\/p>\n

From having a baby with her sister\u2019s partner and inheriting millions after their father\u2019s murder, to battling drug addiction and surviving sexual assault, Roxy\u2019s time in Walford had plenty of highs and lows.<\/p>\n

When the character was killed off alongside sister Ronnie Mitchell in 2017, there was uproar from viewers, with countless fans still begging the show to bring them back.<\/p>\n

In 2023, viewers got their wish when Rita returned for a single episode<\/a> to play Roxy in emotional scenes that saw Amy hallucinate her mum.<\/p>\n

Since leaving EastEnders, Rita has also starred in Hollyoaks as Marie Fielding, though it was recently announced that she would be leaving<\/a> the role.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Television
\n\t\tRita played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders until 2017 (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Marie
\n\t\tRita recently announced her exit from the role of Marie Fielding in Hollyoaks (Picture: Lime Pictures)<\/p>\n

\u2018Since Marie Fielding stepped into Hollyoaks village, she\u2019s sufficiently messed up all her boys lives, Caused ALL the carnage and fallen off the wagon a few times\u2026so her job here is done!\u2019 Rita wrote on Instagram, alongside a few snaps from her time on the show.<\/p>\n

She finished off her caption by writing \u2018London\u2019s calling\u2019, which got fans in a spin as they begged for Rita to return to EastEnders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The actress has also added a new string to her bow, co-hosting a new podcast called \u2018They All Need Therapy\u2019 alongside good friend Nicki Gregory.<\/p>\n

This project has seen her reunite with Ronnie Mitchell star Samantha Womack<\/a>, who has also appeared on the podcast.<\/p>\n

Away from work, Rita has been open about undergoing treatment<\/a> to get her fillers dissolved, admitting that she \u2018really regretted\u2019 them.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Rita
\n\t\tRita and Ben started dating in 2020 (Picture: Instagram \/ Rita Simons)<\/p>\n

She has also shared her hysterectomy journey<\/a>, revealing that it was the \u2018best decision\u2019 she ever made, as her periods worsened her OCD and Anxiety.<\/p>\n

Rita has also spoken about her ADHD diagnosis, revealing that it helps her to learn lines<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018When you\u2019ve got ADHD, you\u2019re either \u2013 well, I am, not everybody \u2013 totally distracted or hyper focused.<\/p>\n

\u2018If there\u2019s one thing I can always do, it\u2019s learn lines at lightning speed. As soon as I get a script, I just fully [zone in], take it in, and then what I do is highlight, and then I can see the words in my head. I can even turn the page in my head, because I know where the next line ends and that one starts.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Coronation Street legend celebrates huge achievement with rarely seen son<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Coronation Street star\u2019s shock as car is smashed up by \u2018scallies\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: \u2018Devastated\u2019 Claire Sweeney breaks silence on ex-boyfriend Ricky Hatton\u2019s death<\/a><\/p>\n


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