Coronation Street’s Rita Tanner and Mavis Wilton have reunited after two decades apart and our hearts couldn’t be any fuller.

Barbara Knox, who plays Rita on the ITV soap, was pictured alongside former co-star and Mavis actress Thelma Barlow at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in Cheshire on Wednesday.

Blue Diamond Garden Centres and its brand, Fryer’s Roses, launched a new rose on behalf of Barbara, aptly titled Gracious Lady, with the cobbles icon there for the big day.

Thelma, 94, who departed Coronation Street 26 years ago, was also present for the event, allowing fans a rare opportunity to see the two soap stalwarts in each other’s company once more.

What a moment.

Thelma played Mavis for 26 years, becoming one of Corrie’s most-loved characters in the process. The actress decided to leave the role after almost three decades, with her final scenes airing in 1997.

Blue Diamond Garden Centres and its brand, Fryer’s Roses, have launch a new rose at this year’s RHS Tatton Park Flower Show – ‘Gracious Lady’ on behalf of Barbara Knox 🌹 pic.twitter.com/v7R58x3Mk9

Coronation Street fans have longed for her to return and reunite with Kabin boss Rita, with Thelma revealing in the past that she’s often asked by producers to stage a comeback.

Barbara, meanwhile, has played Rita regularly since 1972, following a one-off appearance in 1964.

The soap legend will celebrate her 90th birthday later this year, with a special show set to air on ITV1 and ITVX to mark the big event.

Bradley Walsh, who played Danny Baldwin in the soap, will chat to Barbara as she looks back on the highlights of her television and theatre career. She will also share photos from her childhood and stories about her life away from the set, which she usually keeps private.

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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