Hollyoaks star Rita Simons has officially announced her exit from the role of Marie Fielding, and fans think she may be set to return to her roots in rival soap EastEnders.

Rita first appeared on our screens as Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap in 2007, and was a show regular until the character’s death in 2017.

In 2023, Rita returned to the role for a special episode which saw Roxy appear as a figment of daughter Amy Mitchell’s (Ellie Dadd) imagination.

For the last two years, Rita has starred as Marie Fielding in Hollyoaks, but she has now decided to leave the role.

Taking to Instagram, Rita announced her decision alongside a carousel of behind-the-scenes pictures from her time on the show.

‘Wanted to share a little bit of news with you,’ she began.

‘Since Marie Fielding stepped into Hollyoaks village, she’s sufficiently messed up all her boys lives, Caused ALL the carnage and fallen off the wagon a few times…so her job here is done! I’m going to be saying bye bye in the autumn.’

She went on to explain that she moved to Liverpool where the show is filmed to ‘find balance’ in her life after her hysterectomy, and expressed her love for the city.

However, it was her revelation that ‘London’s calling’ that got fans excited, as they began to theorise that she is set to return to EastEnders.

‘London and my true home is calling and I have to follow my heart,’ Rita wrote. ‘Gone are the days of not listening to my soul. So…Londons calling baby!’

Following the announcement, Metro readers took to Twitter/X to share their suspicions.

‘Welcome back Roxy Mitchell,’ one wrote, while another said: ‘ROXY MITCHELL LOOMS.’

A third pleaded with the BBC soap’s new producer to bring the character home, writing: ‘Get her back to Walford pronto, Ben Wadey- however you can!’

Despite Roxy having been killed off alongside sister Ronnie Mitchell (Sam Womack) in a devastating swimming pool accident, fans have long been theorising that their deaths were faked, with the characters living it large in Ibiza.

Could they be right? Is Roxy set to return – and could Ronnie join her?