Eastenders actress, Rita Simons, has revealed that she found it harrowing to visit special care baby units while researching her latest soap storyline.

Rita’s character, Roxy Mitchell, gives birth to her baby two months early and the tot will battle for its life this November.

Rita told The Sun: “It was pretty difficult. It’s always hard to see little premature babies and it was heartbreaking.

“I have got twins myself and because twins are always expected early I had exactly the same tour around hospital wards. It was really hard for me.”

And Rita admitted that the harrowing scenes are starting to take their toll on her saying: “We’re just starting to film the Christmas build-up now and it’s really emotional.”