Rita Simons has revealed she is set to undergo a breast reduction to ease the pain of a debilitating health condition.
The EastEnders actress, 49, who played Roxy Mitchell from 2007 to 2017, announced she will be getting the surgery to help with a spine condition she was diagnosed with aged 19.
Rita said the ‘pain’ from having a large chest has exacerbated her battle with incurable spine condition scoliosis – an abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine.
She previously underwent a hysterectomy and has cut out booze, smoking and sugar in a bid to be as healthy as possible as well as documenting her bid to stop vaping.
Taking to Instagram over the weekend, Rita shared an X-ray of her back to show the curvature of her spine as well as a video with her shirt popping open as she announced she would be getting a breast reduction.
‘It’s finally time to say goodbye to my massively annoying boobs,’ she wrote.
Rita Simons revealed on Instagram over the weekend that she is set to undergo a breast reduction after her chest caused lifelong back pain (Pictured on I’m A Celeb in 2018)
The EastEnders actress, 49, who played Roxy Mitchell from 2007 to 2017, announced she will be getting the surgery to help with a spine condition she was diagnosed with aged 19
Rita shared with fans that as well as it being ‘a rancid habit’, she had quit vaping in preparation for undergoing the breast reduction.
The post was captioned: ‘The pain they cause my back just isn’t necessary anymore. This chapter seems to be about getting rid of everything that doesn’t serve me… the womb, the alcohol, the sugar, the fags/vape…so let’s do the boobs too. The boobs definitely do not serve me.
‘Because of my particular scoliosis and the state of the rest of my back, I’m not a candidate for spinal surgery.
‘My spine can’t be “fixed”, so my focus is on doing everything I can to reduce pain and slow the progression of the curves. They’ll never be cured – so we work with what we’ve got.’
She added: ‘I can’t lie… pain relief aside, I’m also looking forward to not having the rib hump at the back and the two mountains at the front. Let’s lose those mountains.
‘I’m sharing this because adult scoliosis isn’t talked about enough – and this is just one of the many curveballs women with scoliosis can experience.
‘I’ll keep you posted and as always Thanku for all the lovely messages!’
In February 2021, Rita told how she was in a ‘whole world of pain’ because of scoliosis.
She said at the time: ‘I hate my scoliosis with a passion. It’s definitely getting worse and it makes everything I wear weird.
Rita said the ‘pain’ from having a large chest has exacerbated her battle with incurable spine condition scoliosis – an abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine
Taking to Instagram over the weekend, Rita shared an X-ray of her back to show the curvature of her spine as a result of scoliosis
‘It’s finally time to say goodbye to my massively annoying boobs,’ she wrote as she announced the surgery
The post was captioned: ‘The pain they cause my back just isn’t necessary anymore. This chapter seems to be about getting rid of everything that doesn’t serve me…’
‘I had an X-ray not that long ago and my spine is a big old S now, and I’m in a whole world of pain most of the time.
‘I work out everyday and I’m so grateful I have a gym at home. It’s so important to keep training when you have scoliosis – but in the right way. I do loads of strengthening and physio for the curve in my spine and it keeps me out of pain when I’m strict with my training.’
It is her latest health battle after Rita had her womb removed following her ‘debilitating’ periods.
But after trying a mixture of hormones, which didn’t work for her, she was left with the op as the ‘only option’.
Rita – who shares twin girls, Jaimee and Maiya, 20, with her ex-husband, Theo Silverston – told OK! Magazine in 2023: ‘I was in panto and I got to the point where I was telling my agent not to book me on dates where I knew I’d be on my period, because it was so difficult to work.
‘It was debilitating and I knew I couldn’t go through that every month. My emotions got completely freaked out every month.
‘It got to the point where I must have five days a month where I’m OK and then I start ovulating again and it’s all downhill. Health comes first.’
Rita underwent a total radical hysterectomy, which saw her womb, cervix and both ovaries taken out, after her doctor informed her it was the only option.
