When one thinks of “Coronation Street,” it’s nearly impossible not to conjure the iconic presence of Barbara Knox. As one of the world’s longest-serving female TV soap stars, she has been a fixture on the show for over six decades. Barbara Knox, who celebrated her 90th birthday in a recent ITV documentary, has graced our screens as Rita Tanner since the 1960s, solidifying her status as a beloved member of the show’s cast.
In this retrospective journey, we delve into the extraordinary moments Barbara Knox has shared with her fans, from her illustrious career accomplishments to her closely guarded personal life.
Barbara Knox first entered the realm of “Coronation Street” in 1964 before making her return to the show in the 1970s, securing her place as one of the soap’s most enduring figures. Prior to her full-time commitment to “Coronation Street,” she shared the screen with legendary comedian Ken Dodd in the sketch show “Funny You Should Say That.” Interestingly, she revealed that she had to obtain Ken Dodd’s permission to join the cast of “Coronation Street” due to scheduling conflicts, demonstrating the high regard she held for her fellow performers.
Throughout her time on the show, Rita Tanner has remained a central character in the soap’s rich tapestry. On the occasion of the soap’s 60th anniversary, Barbara Knox reminisced about her debut on the set. In a heartfelt video posted on Twitter from the iconic Rovers Return, she recounted, “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.’”
She went on to confess her deep affection for the show, its cast, and its crew, stating, “And that to me just summed up the warmth and the kindness that I walked into, me, to play this character all those years ago. And I fell in love with Coronation Street, and I never wanted to leave. Please, be loyal to us, as you have, because without you, we have nothing really. I hope we’ve entertained you. I’ve loved it, I hope you have.”
To mark another significant milestone in the show’s history, Barbara Knox shared a captivating throwback photo. In this snapshot, she stood alongside her co-stars, including Jean Alexander, Eileen Derbyshire, Thelma Barlow, Anne Kirkbride, Doris Speed, and Julie Goodyear. This group of talented actresses embarked on a sun-soaked girls’ getaway to Majorca, Spain, for filming in the 1970s. The escapade, however, stirred controversy back home as their male counterparts were conspicuously excluded from the adventure.
In an intriguing revelation, Barbara disclosed that the men of the cast were genuinely peeved by the ladies’ trip. On the Corrie special “60 Unforgettable Years,” she shared, “I’ll tell you a story out of school. We got word that the ladies were going to work in Majorca for a week, and the men in the cast, the silly beggars, they wouldn’t speak to us. So off we went to Majorca, and everyone thought they’re having a great time – but it was dreadful.”
Beyond her storied career on “Coronation Street,” Barbara Knox experienced both the joys and challenges of her personal life. She exchanged vows with Denis Mullaney in 1956, and together, they raised three children: Maxine, John, and Amanda. Nevertheless, their journey ended in divorce in 1977. In that same year, Barbara embarked on a new chapter in her life, marrying her second husband, John Knox. Unfortunately, their union faced its own set of struggles, and the couple parted ways in 1994. Despite the trials she encountered in her personal life, Barbara Knox’s professional career continued to flourish.
Barbara Knox’s remarkable legacy on “Coronation Street” extends beyond her extraordinary tenure on the show. Her indomitable spirit, on-screen charisma, and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on the hearts of her fans and peers. As the show celebrates her 90th birthday and her enduring contributions, she remains an iconic figure in the world of television.