Hollyoaks Star Exits After Two Years, Films Explosive Final Scenes

A huge Hollyoaks star has reportedly quit the show after just 18 months.

Rita Simons, 48, best known for playing EastEnders iconic Roxy Mitchell, joined Hollyoaks in early 2024 as gangster Warren Fox’s long-lost ex Marie Fielding.

Since her arrival, she’s been at the heart of some of the soap’s most explosive plots, particularly those involving her villainous sons Abe (Tyler Conti) and Arlo (Dan Hough). 

Now, Rita has reportedly made the decision to leave the show, with a dramatic exit storyline set to air later this year. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Rita has absolutely loved every second of her time at Hollyoaks and it wasn’t an easy decision.

‘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.

English actress Rita Simons, 48, best known for playing EastEnders iconic Roxy Mitchell, has reportedly quit Hollyoaks after just 18 months (pictured with Tyler Conti on the show)

She joined Hollyoaks in early 2024 as gangster Warren Fox’s (Jamie Lomas pictured) long-lost ex and the mother of Joel Dexter (played by Rory Douglas-Speed) 

‘London has been calling her, and it’s proved difficult to balance a job she loves and her life in London.’ 

The insider added that Channel 4 bosses have been supportive of her decision and have crafted a powerful exit for her character. 

While Rita is sad to go, she’s said to be ‘excited’ to film the emotional scenes. 

Rita is expected to shoot her final episodes this summer, with her character’s departure airing in the autumn. 

MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 and Rita’s representative for comment.  

Meanwhile, Hollyoaks is gearing up to mark its 30th anniversary this October with a huge month of celebrations. 

Show boss Hannah Cheers teased that a signature Hollyoaks stunt is already in the works as she claimed you can’t do a Hollyoaks commemoration ‘without some kind of spectacle’.

She also revealed a huge battle between two Hollyoaks titans will take centre stage for October.

Since her arrival, she’s been at the heart of some of the soap’s most explosive plots, particularly those involving her villainous sons Abe (Tyler Conti) and Arlo (Dan Hough).

Now, Rita has reportedly made the decision to leave the show, with a dramatic exit storyline set to air later this year

A source told The Sun: ‘Rita has absolutely loved every second of her time at Hollyoaks and it wasn’t an easy decision. London has been calling her, and it’s proved difficult to balance a job she loves and her life in London’

Having recently returned from the dead to the village after 12 years, Clare Devine is back, and she’s set to clash against serial killer Jez Blake in the run-up to the big anniversary. 

Rita made a striking entrance into Hollyoaks in early 2024 as Marie Fielding, the turbulent mother of Joel Dexter. 

Her debut came during a dramatic fight at a gender reveal party, where she crashed into the McQueen family’s world by stealing Mercedes’ dress and stirring up longstanding tensions.

From the outset, her character was announced as a catalyst for chaos – promising trouble across multiple storylines and hinting at hidden motives rooted in her return from prison. 

Over her time on the show, Marie became embroiled in some of Hollyoaks’ most explosive plots: secretive romances (including a complicated connection with Tony Hutchinson), family reckonings, and a dramatic motorcycle crash storyline.

Meanwhile, Hollyoaks is gearing up to mark its 30th anniversary this October with a huge month of celebrations