EastEnders' Rita Simons gets married to her 'best friend' as famous pal gives her away

Rita Simons has walked down the aisle in a lavish celebration. The EastEnders star wed her 'best friend' Ben Harlow in an intimate ceremony yesterday, surrounded by her celebrity friends and family.

Posting on social media, she revealed: "Well this happened yesterday! I married my best friend @benjyharlow... Just a little teaser before I have the good stuff from @the.event.editor content creator.

"I can't even put into words how special our day was...mostly because we have the most incredible bunch of humans who love us unconditionally and who were prepared to travel to @hiddenriverbarn from all over the world to share our day. We love you all. You know who you are ...sorry there's gonna be a ton of pics to follow!"

Rita subsequently praised her two youngsters for being the "stars" of the occasion as she continued to thank her wedding organisers, her gown designers and her makeup artist.

There was also a particular acknowledgement for the musicians who performed at her wedding celebration throughout the day and evening.

Duncan James, from the group Blue, was also present for a very meaningful role. "Thank you my darling @mrduncanjames for giving me away, I love you forever," she penned in an affectionate message to the performer, reports the Mirror.

The vocalist was swift to respond to her post, writing: "Thankyou to you and ben for such a wonderful wedding," alongside a string of red heart emojis.

Others flocked to the comments section to offer congratulations to Rita, including Ellie Dadd - who portrays her on-screen daughter Amy Mitchell. She penned: "Congratulations Rita and Ben."

Rita's character Roxy Mitchell met her demise alongside her sister Ronnie in dramatic scenes back in 2017, and Rita was keen for her famous pals to join her for her special day.

"We're getting married in September, but I'm not going to say dates or where, but we're very excited," she revealed recently.

"Samantha Womack will be there, and I think Larry Lamb and Glynis Barber. Larry was my dad in the show, Glynis played my mum, and Samantha was my on-screen sister, Ronnie."

Her twin daughters - Jaimee and Maiya - served as her bridesmaids. The 18 year old twins are from her previous marriage to her ex, hairdresser Theo Silveston, from whom she separated in 2020.

Discussing her daughters' involvement, she continued: "Yes, they will. It will be a very glitzy wedding."