Coronation Street legend’s future on ITV soap revealed after admitting ‘my days are numbered’
CORONATION Street legend Barbara Knox has signed to stay on the cobbles despite turning 90 this month.
She reaches the milestone on September 30 but has committed to working well into 2024.
Barbara has played Rita Tanner full-time since 1972 — after appearing for one episode in 1964.
She is second only to Ken Barlow actor Bill Roache, 91, in the age stakes on the ITV soap.
An insider said: “Barbara is in Corrie’s DNA. 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.”
Barbara is thought to command around £200,000 as one of the biggest names on the box.
She first appeared as Rita Littlewood for one episode of Corrie in December 1964, before returning to the show as a full-time cast member in January 1972, appearing in 3,885 of the Street’s 10,700 episodes.
Bill Roache, who was on board as Ken Barlow when the soap began in 1960, has notched up 4,470 episodes and Helen Worth has 4,430 episodes as Gail Platt.
Despite that, Barbara is said to still worry every year that bosses might not renew her contract.
Co-star Sally Ann Matthew said: “I count myself very lucky that when I first joined the show, I had Barbara to work with – she’s a real pro.
“Every year, she thinks she’s not going to get another contract. I’m like, ‘Seriously, Barbara?’
“If she ever forgets a line, which is very rare, she won’t sleep that night – she’s terrible. I tell her off all the time. Not many people can!”
It comes as next month Barbara will be honoured with an ITV telly special to mark her time in the spotlight.
It will be hosted by The Chase star Bradley Walsh and feature a whole host of Corrie actors past and present, gathering to celebrate Knox’s career and reminisce on the most memorable moments of her life.
ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning Katie Rawcliffe said: “It’s easy to throw the words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ around, but Barbara Knox really does embody both of those terms.
“It’s a privilege to tell the story of one of British television’s most enduring stars as she celebrates a very special birthday.”