Coronation Street actress Barbara Knox, known for playing Rita Tanner on the ITV soap, has celebrated her 93rd birthday, leaving fans astonished by her actual age.
Barbara first appeared on the enduring ITV soap back in 1964 as Rita Tanner. Since her arrival, Rita has emerged as one of the programme's most cherished and legendary characters.
A life of dramatic storylines
It's reasonable to say The Kabin proprietor has experienced her portion of substantial plotlines throughout the decades. From a brain tumour diagnosis to featuring in the memorable tram crash stunt, her period in Weatherfield has been far from lacking in dramatic moments.
Her romantic history, too, has frequently sparked discussion amongst audiences. She has been married three times during her tenure - to Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson), Ted Sullivan (William Russell) and Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie).
Fans pay tribute
This week, Barbara marked a major birthday with numerous admirers honouring the soap legend. On a Coronation Street Facebook fan page, one person wrote: "Happy 93rd Birthday to Barbara Knox's aka Rita. Have a lovely day.", reports the Daily Star.
Flooding the comments section, supporters were left amazed by her actual age, with one person writing: "Still going strong on Corrie keep it up ,love your acting." Another added: "Looking incredible for her age." A third chimed in: "A beautiful lady."
Career highlights
Barbara originally took on the part of Rita Littlewood in Coronation Street on 2 December 1964, playing an exotic dancer and friend of Dennis Tanner for just one episode. She returned on a permanent basis in January 1972 as Rita Bates, becoming a familiar and beloved fixture in the programme.
In 2010, Barbara received an MBE for her services to drama and has secured multiple accolades for her performance as Rita, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards.
Rita has consistently been a prominent character in the programme and to commemorate the soap's 60th anniversary, she reflected on her initial appearance on set.
In footage shared on Twitter from the Rovers Return, she said: "I want to tell you a bit about it, and I want to tell you I started right here, on this spot, all those years ago as Rita Littlewood."
"I'd come to sing at the Viaduct Club, but I had no digs so I came in here and Stan Ogden - Hilda Ogden's husband - was very kind to me and said, 'Sit down love and get her a drink, and Dennis Tanner will be here in a few minutes and he's the manager of the Viaduct Club, he'll find somewhere for you.'"
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
