Despite being 78, and having been a regular cast member on Coronation Street for four decades, Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Sullivan – soon to be Rita Tanner – has no plans to retire.

In a rare interview with the Daily Mirror, Barbara said, “Retire? What a filthy word! I haven’t thought of retiring.

“I keep saying to everybody I know – don’t retire, just keep working. It’s so good for you – it certainly is for me.

“I know it’s hard and you’re tired and you don’t want to go in, but your brain is in action.

“And I do think the sheer discipline of work helps to keep you younger. So apart from loving the job, that is at the back of my mind.

“I’ve done it all my life and I enjoy it and I genuinely find it stimulating.”

Barbara, who’s also starred in A Family At War, Goodbye Mr Chips and Emergency Ward 10, went on to say that when she was written out of Corrie for 11 weeks, she realized then that she couldn’t possibly leave work permanently… Read more & comment »

It was reported a few weeks ago that Coronation Street’s latest bride-to-be Rita Sullivan was set to be kidnapped on the day of her wedding to fiancé Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie) and for ages, we’ve been speculating who would want to abduct Kabin owner Rita…

But now we know; she’ll be taken hostage by evil loan shark Rick Whelan (Greg Wood) and used as a bargaining tool when Tina McIntyre threatens to end Rick’s drug operation.

The storyline begins when Tina (Michelle Keegan) finally learns that her boyfriend Tommy Duckworth (Chris Fountain) is paying off his dad Terry’s debt to Rick by stashing drugs in the cars he services at the garage.

Rick’s cronies later retrieve the drugs and sell them, so brave Tina intercepts a shipment and removes them from the car before calling Rick and telling him to meet with her… Read more & comment »

With the wedding of the year drawing ever closer, we have come across some spoiler pictures that suggest that, as in any soap wedding, the nuptials of Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) and Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie) will face a few trials before the couple can even think about saying I do in Coronation Street.
Read more & comment »

Yesterday, Coronation Street’s executive producer, Phil Collinson, dropped lots of hints about forthcoming storylines, including one in which Rita Sullivan will be kidnapped on her wedding day, and another which will see Stella Price battling to keep the Rovers…

Collinson also confirmed that Royle Family star Sue Johnston will join the cast as Stella’s (Michelle Collins) mother, Gloria.

Of the character, Collinson said, “She’s a terrifying, domineering, overbearing mother, so there’s going to be some real sparks flying.”

And of the storyline which could see Stella forced to leave the pub, that begins with Betty Williams’ funeral which will air next month… Read more & comment »

Corrie sources have today hinted that Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) is set to become the new Mrs Tanner on the Street this summer when she weds her sweetheart Dennis Tanner, who is of course played by Phillip Lowrie.

Phillip starred in the show right from the first episode, in which he played the role of Elsie Tanner’s son Dennis. He came back to reprise the role last year.

Elsie was of course a stalwart on the Street, and was played by the late Pat Phoenix. EastEnders star Jessie Wallace played the role of Pat in last year’s docu-drama about the show’s early days, The Road To Coronation Street.

However, getting back to the story that Rita and Dennis are to marry, a show insider told the Daily Mirror, “Don’t rule out a summer wedding!”

And it seems that Rita and Dennis’s on-screen relationship may be extending to the lives of the actors who play them… Read more & comment »

Corrie’s executive producer, Phil Collinson – who was dubbed ‘Phil Cullinson’ after making sweeping cuts to cast members when he took over the role of producer – has teased that there’s heartbreak ahead for two of Corrie’s couples.

However, he also revealed that he’d love to see Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) finding marital bliss at last with Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie).

Collinson made his remarks about the two conflicting storylines in a recent interview with Inside Soap magazine, in which he first revealed that in the run up to Christmas on the cobbles, Peter Barlow and wife Leanne are to be torn apart by Peter’s love for Carla.

And in addition, Stella Price’s partner Karl Munro will push her loyalty to the limit when he develops a gambling addiction. Read more & comment »

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… Read more & comment »