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Jun 11, 2023 · Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) is wound up in upcoming Coronation Street episodes and as a result, she ends up quitting her job at The Kabin!
- Calli Kitson
- William Roache, Helen Worth, Sally Dynevor
- Biography
- Relationships
- Background Information
1932-1972: Early life and life on the street
Rita Littlewood was born on 25th February 1932 in Manchester, the daughter of Harold and Amy Littlewood. As a child Rita attended Bessie Street School, enjoyed singing and show business and always sought to pursue this as a career, with her mother's encouragement. When she left school in 1946she worked as an assistant in a grocer's shop but still aspired to show business. By 1964, Rita was working as a belly dancer at the Viaduct Sporting Club where she crossed paths with Dennis Tanner, who s...
1973-1982: Meeting Len and fostering
It was several months later, after Rita had left the street, that Len, out for a night with Elsie and Alan Howard, saw Rita singing in a newly opened nightclub. This was the start of an on-off relationship which was to accumulate into a stormy eleven-year relationship. In 1973, Len bought The Kabin, and installed Rita as manageress with the offer of the flat above it though she sometimes continued to sing, having been in the business since she was five when her mother entered her in a talent...
1983-1990: Widowhood, and The Bradleys
Rita and Len may not have got on well at times, but Rita cared a lot about him. In December 1983, Len was killed after he fell asleep at the wheel of his van, which crashed into a bridge. The Street were celebrating the fortieth wedding anniversary of Hilda and Stan Ogden, which he was on his way to. When Rita was told what had happened, she was devastated and her world turned upside down. Sharon returned to comfort her, and she was shocked to learn that Len had been having an affair. She tra...
Mavis Riley
Soon after The Kabin set up shop, Rita was asked to take on Deirdre Hunt, as her boyfriend, Len's partner Ray Langton, had initially wanted to buy the property. Rita refused, and instead hired Mavis, despite the fact she had been having hiccups during the interview. Fluttery, shy Mavis and straightforward Rita were an odd mix, but supported each other through good times and bad and were close friends for nearly a quarter of a century. There were clashes and cross words between the pair over t...
Norris Cole
Rita's Kabin assistant Norris Cole seemed to feel more for Rita than friendship, and proposed to her in 2007(although she rejected his offer). A few years later, he was very jealous of her relationship with Colin Grimshaw. In October 2006, Rita and Norris went on a holiday they had won to Hungary. Rita broke her toes whilst there and had to stay in hospital, while Norris returned. Rita returned in Novemberto reveal that her foot was broken when Norris tripped her while trying to get to a brea...
Jenny Bradley
After Len's death, Rita eventually took in Jenny Bradley, a paper girl who had recently lost her mother. Rita and Jenny were initially very close, and Rita helped Jenny build a relationship with her long-absentee father, Alan Bradley. When Rita uncovered Alan's lies and planned to call the police, Jenny walked in on him trying to kill Rita. After Alan's acquittal, Rita disappeared, and Alan was suspected of killing her. When he tracked her down, he was hit by a tram. Jenny turned against Rita...
Barbara Knox, known then as "Barbara Mullaney", originally appeared as Rita Littlewood in a one-off episode on 2nd December 1964. She was brought back to the show seven years later on 31st January 1972, although was initially an original character named "Mrs Bates". It was decided to connect her to her previous character from seven years earlier, a...
Nov 1, 2017 · Coronation Street fans can breathe a sigh of relief: Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) isn't being killed off! Fans have been fearing for the Street stalwart's future ever since she was diagnosed with a...
Jun 21, 2021 · CORONATION STREET veteran Rita Tanner could be set to die in upcoming scenes on the ITV soap as the pain of reporting her foster daughter, Sharon Bentley, to the police takes its toll on her...
- 53 sec
- Charlie Milward
Jun 6, 2023 · Coronation Street may be witnessing the end of an era next week, when Rita Tanner makes a shock exit from The Kabin after being upset by new arrival Isabella.
- 2 min
- Susannah Alexander
In January 2009, it was speculated that Knox and other veteran actors were going to be axed from the show in a bid to save money but this was later denied by a Coronation Street spokesperson. Knox was temporarily written out of the series in August 2009 for health reasons.
Sep 8, 2017 · Coronation Street viewers have been very worried about Rita Tanner recently, as she's been suffering from forgetfulness. Fans of the Weatherfield legend started an emotional campaign to...
