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EastEnders star Rita Simons arrives in Australia for I’m A Celeb and says she’s been ‘unwell’ ahead of jungle stay

FORMER EastEnders star Rita Simons has arrived in Australia for her stint on I'm A Celeb.

The actress - who played Roxy Mitchell in the hit soap - landed Down Under in the early hours of this morning, but has been dealing with a bout of sickness ahead of her jungle stay.

 Rita arrived at Airport in the early hours of this morning
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Rita arrived at Airport in the early hours of this morningCredit: Brian Roberts

She said: "I've not been very well. I've not been to Australia before, it's my first time."

Rita's also sporting a different hairstyle, having dyed it pink.

She said: "I fancied something different and it's good to have a change."

The actress, 41, will be on I'm a Celeb alongside a lineup that includes Nick Knowles, Emily Atack, Fleur East, James McVey, Anne Hegerty, Harry Redknapp and more.

 The actress played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders
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The actress played Roxy Mitchell in EastEndersCredit: Brian Roberts
 She's dyed her hair pink for her stint in the jungle
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She's dyed her hair pink for her stint in the jungleCredit: ITV
 Rita says she's never been to Australia before - and this visit is her first
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Rita says she's never been to Australia before - and this visit is her firstCredit: Brian Roberts

Rita is hoping time in the jungle will help her with a series of health struggles, including ADHD, OCD, anxiety and insomnia.

She has said: “I suffer with a million ‘isms’, including ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

“I also have really bad insomnia. The worst is when I can’t sleep at all and I’m up all night.

“Some nights I’m awake just staring at the wall.


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 Rita is hoping the show will will help her with a series of health struggles, including ADHD, OCD, anxiety and insomnia
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Rita is hoping the show will will help her with a series of health struggles, including ADHD, OCD, anxiety and insomniaCredit: Brian Roberts
 The admitted she felt ill before getting on the plane
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The admitted she felt ill before getting on the planeCredit: Brian Roberts
 Rita, 41, played Roxy Mitchell on the BBC soap for 10 years before being axed 18 months ago.
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Rita, 41, played Roxy Mitchell on the BBC soap for 10 years before being axed 18 months ago.Credit: Brian Roberts

"I don’t even watch TV or listen to music.

"It is awful. It is like torture.

"Sometimes it feels like I don’t sleep for days. It’s horrible.

“Meditating really helps me but I haven’t been doing it as much lately and the insomnia has returned.”

I'm A Celebrity mystery contestant rumoured to be Katie Price, Megan Mckenna, Lauren Goodger, Nick Leeson or Ray J


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