Rita Simons eastenders
Soaps

EastEnders star Rita Simons is ‘dating’ Legally Blonde musical co-star

Comes after Rita's split from husband of 14 years

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Former EastEnders star Rita Simons has reportedly found love after her split from husband Theo Silverston.

During lockdown, it was reported that the 43-year-old actress and her hairdresser husband had quietly called time on their marriage.

However, far from splitting in lockdown, the pair actually parted ways around two years ago.

Best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap, Rita was married to Theo for 14 years.

Former EastEnders star Rita Simons is said to have found new love (Credit: Splash News)

The pair are said to have kept things amicable for the sake of their 14-year-old twins, daughters Jaimee and Maiya.

Who is EastEnders star Rita Simons dating?

And now, it seems, there’s a new man on the horizon for former EastEnders star Rita.

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She is said to be dating her Legally Blonde The Musical co-star Ben Harlow.

Rita and Ben co-starred in the production from September 2017 until June 2018.

She played salon owner Paulette Bonafonte and he starred as her love interest, UPS delivery driver Kyle.

One cheeky scene in the musical saw Rita perform the infamous “bend and snap” routine on Ben.

It’s been reported that the pair were spotted headed off on a mini-break earlier this week.

Rita and Ben appeared on stage together in Legally Blonde (Credit: YouTube)

What happened between Rita and her husband?

After Rita’s marriage split was revealed, sources explained the break-up was amicable and the pair are happily co-parenting their daughters.

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A source told the Daily Star Sunday: “Rita and Theo have been separated for almost two years and Theo moved out of the family home some time ago.

The split has been a big change for Rita, but she knows it’s the right decision. She and Theo are still on good terms, which has made everything a lot easier.

“They are currently finalising their divorce, and amicably co-parenting their two daughters.”

Despite the split, Rita is said to be excited about the future and is eager to sell their family home in order to make a clean start.

Rita Simons eastenders
Rita and Theo were married for 14 years and, following their split, are in the process of getting divorced (Credit: Splash News)

The insider explained: “The split has been a big change for Rita, but she knows it’s the right decision. She and Theo are still on good terms, which has made everything a lot easier.”

Rita’s representatives confirmed that the pair had split, saying that they had simply grown apart.

“Rita and Theo have been separated for almost two years and Theo moved out of the family home some time ago.”

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor