Rita Simons suffered a deep depression after her divorce from her husband of 14 years Theo Silveston.
The former EastEnders actress, 44, has spoken out about her difficulties after her stressful break-up, admitting she became ‘aggressive, hardened and defensive’ following the split.
Soap star Rita – who is mother to twin daughters Jaimee and Maiya, 15 – and hairdresser Theo went their separate ways in 2018 before divorcing two years later, with the performer telling The Sun she struggled to get out of bed when she was at her worst.
Honest: Rita Simons, 44, suffered a deep depression after her divorce from her husband of 14 years Theo Silveston, with the star speaking out about her battles this week
She said: ‘When I look back, I used to be quite aggressive, hardened and defensive, like I was on guard all the time.
‘If something bad happened, I’d be the first to go, “Raagh!”, and start screaming.’
Rita said she used to challenge her anger at the gym where she took up boxing, insisting she doesn’t lose her temper today and that the time away from her marriage has ‘softened’ her.
End of the road: The former EastEnders actress said she became ‘aggressive, hardened and defensive’ following the stressful split (pictured with Theo in March 2017)
Reflecting on some of her lowest moments, the former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! campmate said: ‘It was a deep sadness, I would say a depression. I couldn’t see the wood for the trees.’
She admitted she didn’t want to work at the time despite considering herself a ‘grafter’, with the star admitting her mental difficulties took a toll on her physical health.
‘It was all kind of lumped into one big mess and I was very ill a lot of the time,’ she explained.
READ RELATED: Nick Kyrgios opens up about his battle with depression
Family affair: Soap star Rita – who is mother to twin daughters Jaimee and Maiya, 15 – and hairdresser Theo went their separate ways in 2018 before divorcing in 2020 (pictured 2014)
‘I lost a lot of weight. And I wasn’t telling people about the marriage because although my kids knew, I didn’t want them reading about it.
‘That just ate me up, not being able to tell people what was really going on.’
While the star, who has battled anxiety and OCD from around the age of seven, knew she should take some time out, she kept herself busy with work, signing up to appear in West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and pantomime Sleeping Beauty after leaving EastEnders as Roxy Mitchell in 2017.
New beginnings: She has now found love with Ben Harlow who she toured with for a year Legally Blonde: The Musical in 2017
After working solidly for 13 years, Rita’s personal struggles took a toll on her, with the star admitting she reached crisis point while touring with the play The House On Cold Hill in 2019.
She said she considered throwing herself down some stairs on set as a cry for help.
Rita is still friends with Theo today but described their divorce process as ‘cold’ and ‘clinical’.
She has now found love with Ben Harlow who she toured with for a year Legally Blonde: The Musical in 2017, with the performer describing him as ‘the loveliest man on the planet’.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
Getting better: Rita sought help for her difficulties, crediting CBT with improving her life (pictured on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2018)
Source: Daily Mail
