Samantha Womack, the actress behind EastEnders’ beloved Ronnie Mitchell, has finally opened up about her character’s incredibly controversial death, revealing the true emotional toll it took on her and co-star Rita Simons (who played Roxy Mitchell). Their New Year’s Day 2017 exits, which saw Roxy suffer a cocaine-induced heart attack in a swimming pool and Ronnie drown trying to save her, sent shockwaves through Walford and left fans devastated.

Womack confessed to Mail Online that the decision to kill off the iconic Mitchell sisters was completely out of their hands. “It was really hard for us because it wasn’t in our hands. We didn’t make the decision to go,” she stated, still seemingly bewildered by the abruptness of it all. She speculated that a change in producers at the time might have been the catalyst, but admitted, “I don’t really understand what happened.”

The impact of their axing was profound and deeply personal for Womack. She described the experience as a “bereavement,” akin to “losing a family member” and “losing stability.” But the most agonizing part, she emphasized, was the feeling of rejection. “The thing that was the most painful, and it really was painful, was that me and Rita loved feeling like we belonged there and then to be rejected,” she revealed, admitting, “And I know that’s emotional, but that’s what it was. It hit us both so hard.”

Despite the initial pain, Womack has since found a silver lining in her departure. She believes that if Ronnie hadn’t been killed off, she might still be on the soap, rather than enjoying her current life in Valencia. This perspective highlights a surprising positive outcome from what was, at the time, a deeply upsetting professional setback.

The recent news of Rita Simons’s upcoming departure from Hollyoaks has reignited fervent discussions among fans about a potential Ronnie and Roxy comeback. The idea of their return is something Womack finds appealing in theory, acknowledging the “extraordinary” fan base they still command. “They still to this day go loopy when they hear there’s any sort of chance we could come back,” she shared.

However, the practicality of such a return, given their characters’ definitive deaths, presents a significant hurdle. Womack mused, “The only way is that they could possibly say that we didn’t actually die. I don’t know.” Beyond the narrative challenge, she also acknowledged the demanding nature of soap opera work. “It’s a big commitment. I know only too well what those working days are like,” she added.

Despite the challenges, Womack’s affection for EastEnders remains strong. “I have a strong affection for the show. I love everyone there and I miss everyone there,” she expressed warmly. She also reminisced about her working relationship with Simons, describing it as “silly” and “fun.” “We were controversial. We were naughty,” she fondly recalled, capturing the essence of the iconic duo.

Ultimately, Womack refused to completely shut the door on a potential return, embracing a pragmatic view forged by experience. “Never say never to a return,” she declared, adding, “I’m old enough and ugly enough to realize you never close the door on anything.” This leaves a glimmer of hope for the legions of Ronnie and Roxy fans who still dream of their miraculous resurrection in Walford.