Rita Simons has landed her first musical theatre role.
Rita Simons as Roxy Mitchell
The 'EastEnders' star is set to portray Paulette, the beautiful manicurist looking for love, in the theatrical version of the hit film 'Legally Blonde' for seven months from next September.
The production will kick off in Bromley towards the end of 2017 and will tour the UK, stopping off at theatres in High Wycombe, Bristol and Woking among other major venues until April 2018.
The 39-year-old actress' new musical theatre role comes just weeks after she announced she was leaving the BBC long-running soap after nine years playing feisty Roxy Mitchell.
A spokesperson for the show said at the time: "We can confirm that Rita Simons will be leaving 'EastEnders'."
The talented star's decision to turn her back on the programme came just days after Samantha Womack - who plays her on-screen serial killer sister Ronnie Mitchell - announced she was also leaving to pursue other projects.
The spokesperson said: "Having joined the show in 2007, Rita immediately won the hearts of the audience in the role of Roxy Mitchell and between her and Samantha Womack they created one of the most iconic duos 'EastEnders' has ever seen.
"Alongside Samantha, Rita was recently offered to take part in the same big storyline that will see the Mitchell sisters depart Walford, but we will not be releasing any further details at this time. We wish Rita all the best for the future."
Details on the siblings' departure are being kept tightly under wraps for the time being but it's believed they will be killed off.
It's thought the troublesome twosome will meet their grisly end together in the new year when they drown in a swimming pool.
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