EastEnders' Rita Simons devastates fans as she rules out return with Samantha Womack

Former EastEnders star Rita Simons has disappointed fans of the BBC soap following a reunion with Samantha Womack, with the actor confirming that they have no plans to return to Walford any time soon.

The pair famously played sisters Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell respectively, with the popular characters meeting a tragic end in 2017's New Year's Day episode as they drowned in a swimming pool.

Despite the Mitchell sisters firmly being deceased, there have been plenty of rumours that Simons and Womack could reprise their roles in some capacity, but the former has shut this down via social media.

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Taking to Instagram on Tuesday (29 September), Simons shared photos of a reunion with her former co-star, but also stressed that it didn't mean a comeback to Albert Square was on the cards.

"So… before anyone asks… we are just 2 mates hanging out," she began in the caption. "No secret signals we promise. Please don't say it! We want to assure you… we are dead! We aren't coming back… I am saying it now before the comments start."

"We loved every second of being R and R and we are still like sisters… but we are definitely [dead]," she continued, before teasing that the pair were "working on some other exciting things together".

Though some fans of the soap were disappointed by Simons's update, several expressed joy at her reunion with Womack, with one follower writing: "Such a beautiful friendship. You are like real sisters. You both look absolutely stunning."

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"Loved you both as R&R. Great sisterly duo both on the square and still huge fans of yours! Fantastic actresses!!" added another fan, though a third said they were "gutted" by the actor's stance on Roxy and Ronnie.

Simons, who has since appeared as Marie Fielding on Channel 4's Hollyoaks, had previously discussed her bond with Womack, with the actor making a reference to their friendship in December as they both appeared on the stage.

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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