Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) has had her share of bad ‘uns when it comes to men. Her one time fella Alan Bradley (Mark Eden) tried to kill her, and her ex-hubby Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson) cheated on her…

However, there’s a chance that love could once again be in the air for Rita with Weatherfield returnee Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie).

In fact, it was as a friend of Dennis’s that we first met Rita back in 1964. She was an “exotic dancer” then, and had her eye on a romance with Ken Barlow (William Roache), but when that wasn’t forthcoming, she married Len.

Phillip, who made it into the Guinness Book of World Records this year for the longest gap between TV appearances in the same show – after returning to Corrie in May this year following a 43 year absence – has been talking to Inside Soap about the chances of Dennis and Rita sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G…

Mind you, they probably shouldn’t sit in a tree kissing. A fall from that height could shatter their hips…

Anyway, Phillip said, “I hope they have a romance. I love the relationship our characters have, it’s so heart-warming.”

However, next week, we’re to see an old flame of Dennis’s turning up in Weatherfield, and Rita’s horrified when she learns that years ago, Dennis left Norma Dixon at the altar, and hadn’t been in touch with her since.

Of that, Phillip said, “Dennis is a coward. We did a scene where Rita is hoping Dennis will say he loves her, but he can’t.”

Of how he’s enjoying reprising the role of Dennis – who first appeared in the show’s debut episode in 1960 – Phillip said, “I’m having the best time of my life!

“At my time of life, to have a job that I love so much and getting to play such an amazing part, is fantastic.”

Here’s Phillip in action in that very first episode…