Coronation Street’s Barbara Knox looks worlds away from ITV role in glam throwback snap

Coronation Street’s Barbara Knox is best known for playing the role of Rita Tanner in the ITV soap – but she looks worlds away from her role in the cobbles in this throwback image

Coronation Street’s beloved Barbara Knox is barely recognisable in this vintage photograph. The actress, famed for her role as Rita Tanner in the ITV soap, has been a familiar face since her early 30s. While most know her from her television role, she began her career on the stage.

Two years prior to her Coronation Street debut, she made her first theatre appearance in The Boyfriend. In a resurfaced glamorous image of the star, Barbara looks strikingly different from her familiar soap persona. The monochrome photo of the now 91-year old showcases the actress during a theatre performance.

It seems that Barbara experienced a minor wardrobe mishap on stage when her dress zip broke. With a broad smile on her face, the actress appears to find the situation amusing while attempting to rectify the malfunction. Captured in Autumn 1964, Barbara sports a much shorter hairstyle than fans are accustomed to, though the voluminous texture remains consistent.

The photo was taken just months before she made her Coronation Street debut in December, initially for a brief period before becoming a permanent fixture in the 1970s. In another nostalgic snapshot, the actress is seen in character as Rita Fairclough, during her marriage to Len Fairclough (portrayed by Peter Adamson), reports the Express.

**Coronation Street’s Barbara Knox looks worlds away from ITV role in glam throwback snap** (Image: (Image: Getty))

Sporting a ’70s-inspired up-do, her character is pictured working at the Kabin, wearing a vibrant patterned shirt beneath a black sweater vest. Rita dazzles as ever, sporting blue eyeshadow, impeccably shaped eyebrows, and pink lipstick that complements her outfit perfectly.

Barbara is among the longest-serving actors in the series, second only to William Roache’s character, Kenneth Barlow. As the beloved soap marks its 64th anniversary on television next month, Ken Barlow remains the sole original character still walking the streets of Weatherfield.

Yet, it seems Barbara has no intention of bidding farewell to the cobbles anytime soon. Last year during an special ITV programme celebrating her 90th birthday, she reflected on her extensive tenure on the show.

**Barbara Knox joined the ITV soap back in the early 1960s** (Image: (Image: Getty))

She remarked: “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.” In an ITV special last year, Coronation Street cast paid tribute to Barbara, including long-running cast member Bill Roache.

He said: “There is a lot to say about Barbara. She’s one of the strong matriarchal characters of a matriarchal show. If she was nervous you wouldn’t have known it [on first day] you just couldn’t see that.

**The actress has no plans to retire anytime soon** (Image: (Image: ITV))

“She just looked so beautiful. And so relaxed. Impeccable was the word that comes to mind. She’s just lovely to work with. Happy birthday Barbara, 90 y’know is still very young!”

Similarly, Dolly Rose-Campbell, who plays Gemma Winter, praised the actress, adding: “She 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 feelgood way to start your day. I would be gutted if she retired.”

Coronation Street continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV from 8pm.