Soap icon Rita Simons, beloved by millions for her portrayal of EastEnders' Roxy Mitchell, has unveiled a dramatic new look, declaring she's officially 'sick of the blonde' that defined her character for years.
The Big Chop: Embracing a Natural Transformation
Taking to her Instagram on November 16, 2025, the actress shared an intimate video journey of her salon visit. The footage showcased her shimmering natural hair colour before documenting the meticulous process of having new extensions installed. Rita shared a beautiful final snap of the finished look, posing happily alongside her stylist.
In a heartfelt caption accompanying the video, Rita explained her decision. 'That's it! Officially sick of the blonde! …with the help of the gorgeous Emma at @artelierhairformby and @greatlengths_official we are getting there!' she began. 'No more bleach for me. This new hair actually covers a fair bit of the old blonde whilst we grow it out…so no need to colour my own hair. Thank you for getting me back to me!'
Overwhelming Support from Fans and Co-Stars
The response to her hair transformation was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. The salon's own Instagram account commented on the post, writing: ‘Couldn’t be happier with this gorgeous result! Always a pleasure having you in the chair’.
Her former Hollyoaks co-star, Isabelle Smith, who played Frankie Osborne, also chimed in with: ‘oooo i love it’. Fans flooded the comments with praise, with one admirer, @tammysint, stating: ‘Wow love that! so beautiful’. Another fan, @nickig77, simply added: ‘Love this’, while @scarlettwillingale said: ‘Looks amazing’.
A New Chapter After Hollyoaks Departure
This personal change comes shortly after a significant professional shift for the actress. Rita recently departed her role on Hollyoaks after two years playing the troubled Marie Fielding. Her exit aired during the show's 30th-anniversary celebrations, which saw her character move to the iconic Brookside Close with her son, Arlo.
Announcing her departure back in June 2025, Rita took to Instagram to explain her decision to fans. She stated that Marie had 'sufficiently messed up all her boys lives' and that her 'job here is done'. On a more personal note, she reflected on how her time in Liverpool helped her heal after a hysterectomy, calling the city a 'second home'.
She concluded by saying, 'But now I feel strong, I can metaphorically walk on my own again... London and my true home is calling and I have to follow my heart.' Reports from The Sun confirmed that the door was left open for Marie's potential return, as her character was not killed off in the dramatic anniversary plane crash stunt.
Could a Return to Walford Be Next?
Since news of her Hollyoaks exit broke, fans have been speculating wildly about a potential return to EastEnders. Despite her character Roxy Mitchell tragically drowning alongside her sister Ronnie in 2017, viewers are eager for a comeback.
On social media platform X, one fan exclaimed: ‘Welcome back Roxy Mitchell,’ while another declared: ‘ROXY MITCHELL LOOMS’. A third passionately commented: ‘Get her back to Walford pronto, Ben Wadey – however you can!’
This fervent desire for the Mitchell sisters' return is something Samantha Womack, who played Ronnie, finds deeply flattering. In a recent interview, she expressed amazement at how frequently she is still stopped by fans, including younger viewers, who beg for the characters to be resurrected, proving the enduring legacy of the iconic sisters.
