Barbara Knox, MBE (née Brothwood, formerly Mullaney; born 30
September 1933) is a British 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.Knox made her professional
stage debut in 1962 at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, had a small role
as a dancer in the 1969 remake of Goodbye, Mr. Chips and appeared
opposite Ken Dodd in his 1972 comedy series Funny You Should Say That.
She won the 1989 TV Times Award for Best Actress for one of her best
remembered storylines, involving the Alan Bradley character. In 2006,
she won the British Soap Award for Best On-Screen Partnership with
Malcolm Hebden, having previously received the Lifetime Achievement
Award at the 2004 ceremony. She was made an MBE in the 2010 Queen's
Birthday Honours.Knox was born Barbara Brothwood in Oldham,
Lancashire. Her mother worked in a mill while her father was a moulder
at Platt's Foundry, and later a fireman.
September 1933) is a British 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.Knox made her professional
stage debut in 1962 at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, had a small role
as a dancer in the 1969 remake of Goodbye, Mr. Chips and appeared
opposite Ken Dodd in his 1972 comedy series Funny You Should Say That.
She won the 1989 TV Times Award for Best Actress for one of her best
remembered storylines, involving the Alan Bradley character. In 2006,
she won the British Soap Award for Best On-Screen Partnership with
Malcolm Hebden, having previously received the Lifetime Achievement
Award at the 2004 ceremony. She was made an MBE in the 2010 Queen's
Birthday Honours.Knox was born Barbara Brothwood in Oldham,
Lancashire. Her mother worked in a mill while her father was a moulder
at Platt's Foundry, and later a fireman.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.