Coronation Street: Ken and Rita learn Norris has died

Soap icon Barbara Knox has confirmed there are currently no plans for her Coronation Street character Rita Tanner to leave in the near future.

As the actress celebrates turning 90 years old, December will also mark 59 years since she made her debut on the ITV soap.

To mark her milestone birthday, Corrie will be airing a special one-off episode on Friday.

Speaking to The Mirror about the special occasion, Barbara stated: “Unbelievable really, isn’t it?

“How the years have gone. And what we’ve crammed into the years and how fortunate I have been, being in the Street for about 50 or 60 of them. I’ve lost track.”

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She continued: “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.”

The celebratory episode will be hosted by The Chase star Bradley Walsh.

It will bring together actors from the ITV soap from years gone by as well as the current cast to honour Babara’s impressive career.

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In a sweet tribute to the actress, co-star Dolly Rose-Campbell, who plays Gemma Winter, shared: “She [Barbara] is an amazing singer.

“Sometimes when she comes in, in the morning, she will just break into song when she comes into the corridor.

“So Jane will put some old-fashioned music on like a show tune or something and she’ll start singing, Barbara, and we join in.

“It’s a really good feel-good way to start your day. I would be gutted if she retired.”

Rita has seen some huge storylines in her lengthy stint on the soap, from the iconic 80s Blackpool tram storyline to a brain tumour diagnosis in 2017 and lots more in between.

Barbara is also the second longest-serving current soap star in the world, with co-star William Roache taking the lead.

The 91-year-old has played Ken Barlow since the first episode of the soap in 1960.

Barbara Knox at 90 airs on Friday, October 13 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, while Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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