Yahoo News Rita Simons reveals surprise family connection to Lord Alan Sugar
Rita Simons shared what Lord Alan Sugar is really like in 'family time'
Watch Rita Simons reveals surprise family connection to Lord Alan Sugar
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Rita Simons has shared her surprise family connection to Lord Alan Sugar.
The former EastEnders actor shocked Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway on Tuesday by revealing her family ties to The Apprentice boss.
During the Good Morning Britain chat, Simons revealed that her aunty Ann is married to Lord Sugar. The businessman is known for his no-nonsense attitude and he can be incredibly tough in the boardroom but his niece has lifted the lid on what he's really like during family time - behind the scenes.
What, how and why?
Having just learned of their relation, Garraway was keen to ask Simons about her link to Lord Sugar. She said: "First of all, I didn’t know, lately there is a lot i dont know, you are related to Lord Sugar."
Simons jumped in to say "I am". The Good Morning Britain presenter then opened the floor to ask her questions about her uncle saying: "How is that first of all?"
The actor shared how she is linked to Lord Sugar by her blood family. She explained: "My dad’s sister, aunty Ann - she’ll go mad if I call her anything other than aunty Ann - Lady Sugar to you! Is married to Alan."
Garraway was impressed by the relation, saying: "Wow!" With the news on her mind, Garraway turned the conversation to The Apprentice. It is interviews week and next week will be the final. Lord Sugar's aide Tim Campbell revealed the candidates are not able to go to the toilet when the boardroom doors are closed. Garraway had no qualms asking Simons whether this applies at his home too.
She said: "He’s in the paper saying when they’re in the boardroom, the candidates on the apprentice aren’t allowed to use the loo. He locks the doors. Does he let you use the loo?"
Hilariously, Simons had a message for her uncle. "Where’s the camera?" She demanded. Then she said: "Uncle Alan, what are you playing at? What if a lady needs the toilet? You just say lady problems. No!"
Garraway wanted to find out what Lord Sugar is really like away from the cameras. She asked: "Is he a big softie in family time?"
Simons cheekily quipped: "Yeah!" Ed Balls made a joke about Lord Sugar being grumpy which amused his niece. She said: "He’s a little bit grumpy but he’s lovely." Going back to the news story, she said: "Is this a time saving thing not to go to the toilet? Uncle Alan let them go to the toilet!"
Rita Simons on EastEnders ending
It is no surprise EastEnders was also brought up as the actor is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap.
Garraway addressed the heated discussion Simons had with BBC bosses over her EastEnders exit scene. She asked: "With EastEnders, you made sure - didn’t you have a bit of a heated discussion about it that you didn’t want scenes of you in the coffin or anything where you see the body? So it’s left open?"
Simons totally agreed saying she refused to get in the coffin for the show. She said: "Yeah! When you get asked to go in a coffin in soaps, you say no. I did!"
Cheeky Ed Balls jumped in to say: "If you’re a drama queen how do you say it?"
Playing along, Simons said: "I ain't doing that!" But in all seriousness, she added: "No! The thing is look. We’re at Hollyoaks now. It’s gorgeous. It’s like coming home but just up north. I know how soap works, I know the system, I’m so comfortably there. I love where I am."
