EastEnders' Roxy Mitchell actress Rita Simons will star as wicked fairy in Derby Arena panto

Former EastEnders actress Rita Simons is to star in panto at Derby Arena this Christmas.
Rita Simons will play the wicked fairy in Sleeping  Beauty at Derby Arena.Rita Simons will play the wicked fairy in Sleeping  Beauty at Derby Arena.
Rita Simons will play the wicked fairy in Sleeping Beauty at Derby Arena.

Best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in the long-running BBC soap opera, Rita will play the wicked fairy Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty.

Rita said: “I’ve always loved doing panto and being allowed to wreak havoc as the baddie is my favourite job! I’m looking forward to making an entire arena shout out and boo me and it will also be nice to get to know the city better.”Morgan Brind and Alan Bowles from Derby-based Little Wolf Entertainment, which is producing the panto, said: “We are delighted Rita will be dazzling us all in our production of Sleeping Beauty this Christmas.“Instantly recognisable to many as her iconic character EastEnders, and a spell in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, Rita is also no stranger to the West End following appearances in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and the UK tour of Legally Blonde. Indeed she will be heading toDerby fresh from her role of Velma in Hairspray at the London Coliseum, continuing our tradition of bringing the very best of the West End direct to Derby.In 2018, Rita was a campmate on ITV's I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here where she endured countless trials and became camp mum on the most watched TV programme of the year!Playing Roxy Mitchell earned her the Most Popular Newcomer award at the National Television Awards. Other awards and nominations include Best Newcomer at the Digital Spy Soap Awards; Best Onscreen Partnership for her unforgettable character partnership with on-screen sister Ronnie Mitchell, played by Samantha Womack; Best Newcomer at the TV Now awards, a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2008 British Soap Awards and Best Newcomer at the 2008 Inside Soap Awards.Tickets for Sleeping Beauty are on sale now and start from with prices ranging from £14.75. Early birds can get a discount of £2 per ticket if they book by Sunday, October 31, 2021.Book your pantomime tickets online at www.derbylive.co.uk or call 01332 255800.

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