Rita Simons: 'Glenda is the missing link'

Rita Simons has praised EastEnders' producers for their decision to adopt a slow-burn approach to Roxy Mitchell's storylines.

The actress joined the soap with screen sister Samantha Womack (Ronnie) in 2007, but fans have only just seen the pair's mother Glenda - played by Glynis Barber - for the first time.

Show bosses also waited before introducing their sinister father Archie, who was murdered in the Queen Vic on Christmas Day.

Speaking to DS about how events have played out, Simons commented: "What's been great for Sam and I is that we got to do a good couple of years finding ourselves as characters. Then our dad was brought in and now our mum. A lot of people turn up in Walford and have to play out their family history there and then, but we've been lucky to have been able to find out all about our family before they turned up.

"It was so easy for us to find the emotion behind the story because we've been talking about them for three years. It's been really good to play because it's been the missing link for the Mitchell sisters."

Simons also revealed that viewers can expect "daddy's girl" Roxy to have a rocky relationship with her mother in the weeks to come.

The soap star explained: "[Roxy's] very, very against her for a while but there's a point where Roxy cracks and relents a little. It's not long before Glenda's true colours come out, though, and Roxy's put off. Roxy's constantly looking for any sign of mistrust or dishonesty so she can pounce and say, 'I told you so'. But then you have Ronnie who's lapping around her like a lost little puppy - that makes Roxy feel a bit sick."

Barber has already warned that the Mitchell sisters need to be wary of their mother, revealing: "Generally, what she's saying is true but the words she's encasing them in are lies."

> Click here to read our interview with Rita Simons
> Click here to read more from Rita Simons in Soap Scoop