Since 1964, Barbara Knox has played the adored Rita Tanner on Coronation Street.
Barbara Knox, a legend of the soap industry, has confirmed that Rita Tanner, who she plays on Coronation Street, will not be leaving anytime soon.
In addition to the actress turning 90 in December, that month will also mark 59 years since her first appearance on the ITV soap opera.
On Friday, a special one-off episode of Corrie will air to commemorate her significant birthday.
Barbara said in a statement to The Mirror about the momentous occasion: “Unbelievable really, isn’t it?
“How time has flown by. And what we managed to fit into those years, as well as how fortunate I was to spend about 50 or 60 of them in the Street. I’ve lost my way.
“So wonderful, really, I’ve been very fortunate,” she continued.
“I can’t believe 90 years have passed and all these years have passed.
“I find that unbelievable. and if they are paying attention. I’m not planning to retire.
Bradley Walsh, who starred in The Chase, will host the celebratory episode.
To honor Babara’s impressive career, it will reunite both the current cast and former members of the ITV soap opera.
Dolly Rose-Campbell, who plays Gemma Winter on the show, paid the actress a touching tribute by stating: “She [Barbara] is an amazing singer.
When she enters the building in the morning, she occasionally just starts singing as she enters the hallway.
So Jane will turn on some vintage music, perhaps a show tune or something, and Barbara will start singing. Then we all join in.
“It makes you feel great and is a great way to start the day. If she retired, I would be devastated.
Rita’s lengthy tenure on the soap has seen her experience a number of significant storylines, including the iconic Blackpool tram storyline from the 1980s, a 2017 brain tumor diagnosis, and many others in between.
Barbara is currently the second-longest-running soap opera star in the world, behind co-star William Roache.
Since the first episode of the soap opera in 1960, the 91-year-old actor has played Ken Barlow.
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