16 January 2023 , 07:19
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Former Rita Simons star Rita Simons has revealed she underwent a secret facelift and feels like 'her old self again'.
The 45-year-old actress underwent the 'Cinderella lift' procedure and said the effects have already seen a huge boost to her confidence.
Rita explained that she didn't look at herself in the mirror for years because of her jawline and was 'horrified' at the before pictures.
"I’m going public with it because it’s helped my confidence so much,” she said.
"I wasn’t ready to age and my jowls highlighted my scar even more. But I’ve done this for myself, it was purely personal.”
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A Cinderella lift, which cost her just under two grand, is a non-invasive procedure that uses a combination of biodegradable threads, botox and dermal filler to lift and firm up skin.
She showed off the results of the procedure (Lorna Roach)
The actress said it gave her a confidence boost"I feel great again now. I feel like I can hold my head up high," she told OK! magazine after sharing the results.
Meanwhile, the actress was last on EastEnders on New Year's Day in 2017.
She struggled to accept the fact the producers couldn't let Roxy live on after she was killed off along with her on-screen sister Ronnie.
The star didn't look at the mirror for years (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Rita also rocked gorgeous short hair (Lorna Roach)The sisters drowned in horror scenes but Rita said she wishes things ended differently for her.
Rita told the Daily Star Sunday : “I wish they hadn’t killed us off. I haven’t quite made peace with the fact we are dead.
“Both Sam and I were gutted. That decision was made by one person and we had no choice in the matter.”
Soon after her Square exit, Rita and her husband of 14 years Theo Silverston called it a day.
She shared the results with fans (Tim Merry / Daily Star)
She shared the results with fans (Rita Simons/Instagram)It was in August 2020 that anyone outside her circle of friends and her family found out.
The bitter split took a toll on the actress and she ended up losing a lot of weight and struggled with insomnia.
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In an interview with OK! Magazine, Rita said: "I also had terrible insomnia for about a year. When I’m unhappy, my sleep is the first thing to go and then the knock-on is the depression and anxiety."
She threw herself into work but things got worse for the star.
In 2019, while starring in the play The House On Cold Hill, the star had a nervous breakdown.
“My mind went to some major dark places,” admitted Rita.
To see all the exclusive pictures and watch video footage visit OK.co.uk or pick up a copy of New magazine.