It’s good news for Rita Tanner fans as it’s been reported Coronation Street’s Barbara Knox will continue working at the ITV soap until at least 2024.
Barbara, who has played Rita as a permanent character since 1972, will turn 90 this month.
After appearing in one episode of Corrie back in 1964, Barbara reprised her role as Rita in 1972 and has now appeared in well over 3,000 instalments of the show.
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Because of how soap contracts work, Barbara will continue playing Rita for at least another year, with reviews happening annually.
‘Barbara is in Corrie’s DNA’, an insider told The Sun. ‘She is a true pro and the executives were delighted that she put pen to paper to ensure she’s on screens into next year.
‘Corrie is a lovely, steady place to work with a supportive team so it makes it easy to fit around family, having kids and as the cast have grown older. It was a no-brainer for Barbara to sign on the dotted line when the regular renewal of contracts came around this year.’
Rita was on hand to support her friend Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) a few months ago in Coronation Street.
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Gemma had been attempting to juggle working, looking after her children and dealing with the news of Paul Foreman’s (Peter Ash) MND and was seriously struggling.
She confided in Rita, telling her that she’s started experiencing the same feelings she had when she was diagnosed with post-natal depression.
Rita urged Gemma to go back to the doctors, prompting Doctor Gaddas to put her on some anti-depressants.
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Barbara’s incredible life will be at the centre of a documentary next month. It’ll feature comments from past and present Corrie stars and will be hosted by TV presenter and actor Bradley Walsh.
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