Rita Simons has joined the cast of 'Drama Queens'.
Drama Queens will air on ITVBe and ITVX from April 10
The 47-year-old actress is best known for starring as Roxy Mitchell on 'EastEnders' in the late 2000s but now stars in Channel 4's 'Hollyoaks' and is about to join a host of other stars from Northern-based soaps 'Coronation Street' and 'Emmerdale' as they embark on a new ITVBe reality show.
Rita said: "After a decade on Albert Square, I'm making a big move up north to join 'Hollyoaks'.
"It's been both thrilling and challenging to leave everything behind for this new chapter. I'm excited to bring Drama Queens viewers along for the ride and to show a different side of myself. As my kids grow up, I'm ready to represent the 'fabulous after 40' women."
The former 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' contestant will appear on the new series alongside former 'Coronation Street' actresses Brooke Vincent - who will try to show her "authentic side" whilst balancing motherhood with her aspirations of becoming a stage actor - and her real-life cousin Ellie Leach will be seen basking in the glory of her 'Strictly Come Dancing' victory but also has to deal with career uncertainties after leaving her long-running role as Faye Windass.
Jorgie Porter - who plays Thersa McQuen on 'Hollyoaks' - will be seen navigating modern relationship complexities with fiancé Ollie and son Forrest whilst Lucy Fallon finds solace and fulfilment on the familiar cobbles of 'Corrie', a she returned to the role of Bethany Platt after four years away.
She said: "I am looking forward to letting people in on my life beyond the Hollyoaks set, Drama Queens is an amazing opportunity for viewers to get to know the real me away from Theresa McQueen,"
Pop star and former 'Loose Women' panellist Jamellia is also "excited" to be a part of the show and is hoping to showcase a "different" side to herself following her stint in 'Hollyoaks', whilst
She said: " “I’m so excited to be on the cast of Drama Queens, you’ll get to see another side to me and my reality. Motherhood and acting are two incredibly challenging jobs, but doing both at the same time? Chaos is inevitable!”
Completing the line up are 'Emmerdale' stars Amy Walsh, Roxy Shahidi, and Laura Norton.
Amy said: “I made my first appearance on Emmerdale in 2014! For 10 years viewers have only really known me as Tracy, and she has been through a lot. Now it’s time to show people who I am in other areas of my life and how chaotic that can be at times."
'Drama Queens' launches Wednesday 10 April at 9pm on ITVBe and ITVX and will run for eight episodes.
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