Former EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Rita Simons has shared a powerful message about self-acceptance as she spoke about living with the health condition scoliosis.
The actor shared a photo on Instagram of an x-ray showing her 42 and 52 degree double curve in her spine, and paired it with a caption explaining why she decided to talk about it openly after keeping it to herself for so long.
"It's #ScoliosisAwarenessMonth so I thought I'd showcase my wonderful wonky bod," she wrote.
Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney+, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV
"I spent so many years (and tears) somehow feeling I should be ashamed of my back, looking enviously at all the other 'normal' backs… (I know! What a RANDOM thing to be jealous of) Then one day last year I decided to just show you all instead of hiding it.
"It was becoming exhausting. Especially with my job dealing with a lot of wardrobe depts and fittings and having to constantly explain why I couldn't just wear what everyone else can."
What to Read Next
She explained that she got a breast reduction to help her deal with the pain, stating that it has helped her "enormously".
"But the bottom line is," she continued, "my body just didn’t hang right and it never will. And you know what? That's OK. We work with what we've got".
Related: Where EastEnders' Cheryl Fergison is now after soap exit and health battle
Simons concluded her post by addressing all her "scolisisters", as well as "anyone who's ever looked in the mirror and wished for a different body".
"You're in good company," the former soap star wrote. "Maybe none of us are really trying to love ourselves 24/7… Maybe we're just trying to make peace with the bodies we've been given."
The comments were full of people sharing their own stories of scoliosis, including former Coronation Street actor Lisa George. She shared she has "mild" scoliosis and has had back problems for years.
For more information about scoliosis, including treatments, readers can visit the NHS website and the Scoliosis Research Society.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, a collector's edition exploring the royal family, is here! Buy The Royals in newsagents or online.
