A HUGE Hollyoaks star has quit the show after 18 months.
Actress Rita Simons joined the Channel 4 soap in early 2024 as gangster Warren Fox’s long-lost ex and mother of Joel Dexter.
She’s been central to some of the biggest storylines in the show since having to reckon with her villain sons Abe and Arlo.
But now Rita has made the decision to leave the show in an explosive storyline that will see her bow out later this year.
A source said: “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.
“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.”
Rita, who also played the iconic Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders, will film her final scenes this summer for them to play out in the autumn.
The Channel 4 soap will celebrate its 30th anniversary this October with a huge month of celebrations as well as a trademark stunt.
Show boss Hannah Cheers told us: “You can’t do a Hollyoaks commemoration without some kind of spectacle. So there will be a stunt.”
And more than that Hannah also revealed a huge battle between two Hollyoaks titans will take centre stage for October.
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.
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn’t have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was “hell on earth.”
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah’s eating disorder storyline was the first of it’s kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
Nico’s main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap’s resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 – when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC’s series, taking over from Ruby Rose.
“Well, yes, obviously we’ve got two kind of Hollyoaks titans here,” Hannah 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.”
