Hollyoaks star Rita Simons quits after two years on soap with explosive exit scenes

Rita Simons is saying goodbye to Hollyoaks after a whirlwind 18 months on the soap, where she played a key role in some of its most intense recent plotlines.

The former EastEnders star joined the Channel 4 drama in early 2024 as the estranged ex of gangster Warren Fox and mother to Joel Dexter, instantly bringing emotional weight and intrigue to the show.

Since arriving in the village, her character has been thrown into the deep end, facing turmoil and reckoning with her troubled sons, Abe and Arlo, both entrenched in a world of crime.

Now, Simons is preparing to step away from the role in dramatic fashion, with an explosive storyline planned to mark her departure later in the year.

“Rita has absolutely loved every second of her time at Hollyoaks and it wasn’t an easy decision,” a source close to the production revealed.

“She moved her entire life to Liverpool two years ago to throw herself into the show and it’s been a great adventure but the pull of home is just too much. London has been calling her and it’s proved difficult to balance a job she loves and her life in London.

Bosses were really understanding and they’ve crafted her an incredible exit storyline so while she’s really sad to leave, she’s excited to play it out. And it’s Hollyoaks so no matter what happens the door is always open," the source told Th Sun.

Fans will get to see Simons film her final scenes this summer, with her exit slated to unfold in the autumn - timed just ahead of the show’s highly anticipated 30th anniversary celebrations in October.

With a major milestone approaching, Hollyoaks is pulling out all the stops. Executive producer Hannah Cheers teased that big things are in store.

“You can’t do a Hollyoaks commemoration without some kind of spectacle. So there will be a stunt,” Cheers confirmed.

The drama won’t stop there. Viewers can expect an epic showdown as two legendary figures return to the forefront of the show. Clare Devine, who was presumed dead for over a decade, has resurfaced in the village. Her presence will soon collide with that of serial killer Jez Blake, setting the stage for a fierce rivalry.

“Well, yes, obviously we’ve got two kind of Hollyoaks titans here,” Cheers added. “We’ve got kind of very iconic Hollyoaks faces. And it’s not an accident that they are both in the show in the run up to the 30th anniversary.”

With long-standing feuds, unexpected returns, and one final performance from Simons, this autumn promises to be one of the most explosive chapters in Hollyoaks history.

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