Actress Barbara Knox is best known for playing Rita Tanner in the ITV soap Coronation Street a role she’s upheld since joining the cobbles in the 1970s.
Coronation Street legend Barbara Knox is barely recognisable in a recently unearthed throwback photo. The actress, famed for her role as Rita Tanner in the ITV soap, has been a familiar face since her early 30s. Before gracing TV screens as Rita, 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 the glamorous black and white snap, Barbara looks a world away from her character in the soap.
The image shows the now 91 year old star on stage during a theatre performance. However, the photo reveals a minor wardrobe mishap, with the zip on her dress having broken.
Although Barbara seems to find the situation amusing, sporting a huge grin as she attempts to rectify the issue. Taken in Autumn 1964, Barbara’s hair is noticeably shorter than we’re used to seeing, although it retains its signature volume.
The photo was taken just months before she first appeared on Coronation Street, initially joining the cast for a brief period before becoming a permanent fixture in the 1970s, reports the Express.
Coronation Street star unrecognisable in throwback snap from 60 years ago(Image: (Image: Getty))
Another nostalgic photo shows the actress in character as Rita Fairclough, during her marriage to Len Fairclough (played by Peter Adamson). Sporting a 70s-inspired up-do, her character is pictured working at the Kabin, wearing a brightly patterned shirt under a black sweater vest.
The actress is seen as glamorous as ever, sporting blue eyeshadow and perfectly plucked brows while wearing pink lipstick that complements the outfit. Barbara Knox is one of the soap’s longest-serving actors, second only to William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow.
As Coronation Street approaches its 64th anniversary, 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 any time soon.
The actress joined the ITV soap in the early 1960s(Image: (Image: Getty))
During a special ITV programme celebrating her 90th birthday last year, Barbara reflected on her extensive tenure on the show. 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.”
Paying tribute to the actress in an ITV special last year to honour Barbara, Bill Roache had nothing but praise.He commented: “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.
Barbara Knox appears to have 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!”
Echoing his thoughts, Dolly Rose-Campbell, who plays Gemma Winter, says: “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.
