Coronation Street’s Rita Tanner looks unrecognisable in glam throwback image
Corrie’s Barbara Knox: I would like to keep working
Coronation Street icon Barbara Knox looks completely different in this throwback image. The actress, who is best known for playing Rita Tanner in the ITV soap, has been in the spotlight since her early 30s.
Although many will recognise her from her on-screen role, she started her career in theatre. Two years before making her Coronation Street debut, she made her first stage appearance in The Boyfriend.
In a glamorous unearthed image of the star, Barbara looks worlds away from how ITV fans are used to seeing her in the soap. The black and white photo of the now 90-year-old shows the actress on stage in a theatre play.
It appears that Barbara suffered a slight wardrobe blunder on stage when the zip on her dress broke. Looking up with a huge grin on her face, the actress seemed to find the whole ordeal humorous while attempting to fix the malfunction.
Taken in the Autumn of 1964, Barbara’s hair is much shorter than fans are used to, although the luscious volume remains the same. The image was taken a few months before she made her Coronation Street debut as she joined the ITV soap at the start of December for a brief stint before joining permanently in the 1970s.
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In another throwback snap, the actress is seen in character as a then Rita Fairclough when she was married to Len Fairclough (played by Peter Adamson).
With a 70s-inspired up-do, her character is seen working at the Kabin with a bright patterned shirt underneath a black sweater vest.
In full glamour as per usual, Rita has blue eyeshadow, perfectly plucked brows and pink lipstick to match her ensemble.
Barbara is one of the longest remaining cast members on the show, following closely behind Kenneth Barlow (William Roache).
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As the soap recently celebrated its 63rd year on-screen, Ken Barlow is the only original cast member still on the cobbles.
However, it looks as though Barbara doesn’t have any plans to leave Weatherfield soon.
In a one-off special on ITV to celebrate the actress’ 90th birthday, she touched on her time in the soap.
She said: “Unbelievable really, isn’t it? How the years have gone and what we’ve crammed into the years.
“How fortunate I have been, in being in the Street for about 50 or 60 of them. I’ve lost track.
“So wonderful, really I’ve been very fortunate. I can’t believe all these years have gone by and I’m looking at 90.
“I can’t believe that. And if they’re listening. I don’t want to retire.”
Coronation Street continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV from 8pm.
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