Barbara Knox

Barbara Knox, MBE is an English actress, known for her long-running portrayal of Rita Tanner in the ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. She first appeared as Rita for one episode in December 1964, before returning to the show as a full-time cast member in January 1972, a role which she has continued to play for over 48 years. The character of Rita has become one of the most iconic and beloved characters of any British soap opera. Since the departure of her co-star and friend Eileen Derbyshire, who portrayed Emily Bishop, in January 2016, Knox has become the show's second-longest serving cast member after William Roache, who has portrayed Ken Barlow since the show's first ever episode in 1960. She is also recognised as the longest-serving current television soap opera actress in the world.