Exclusive: Mitchell sisters want Hollywood star as on-screen father

EastEnders' Samantha Janus and Rita Simons have revealed their wish for a Hollywood superstar to play their screen father.

Sam and Rita – Ronnie and Roxy, respectively – arrive in Walford this week when their characters return to their East-End roots, having left their Ibiza lives. Little is known about their past but both are harbouring secrets which they hope will remain abroad.

Without a mother-figure in their lives, the pair were raised by their father, Archie.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy about the possibility of their father turning up on the Square, Sam said: "We'd both would love to get Ray Winstone or a similar iconic male like Terence Stamp or Malcolm McDowell. I would love the idea that this mad, iconic male [Archie] comes back into our lives.

"It needs to be someone dark – someone that gives a really wiry performance."

Rita added: "I don't know why I've got this thing about Bob Hoskins. I've always wanted him to be my dad."

Click here to read DS's full interview with Sam and Rita.