If I could write one thing for Rita, she'd come into money

Barbara Knox reminisces over her 53 years as a soap titan

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Barbara Knox has been worth every penny for the 53 years fans have laughed, gasped and cried over the ups and downs of Rita Tanner's life on Coronation Street.

And the 91-year-old soap icon admits if there is one way she could thank the character for all the good fortune that playing the role has brought her, then it would be to make Rita rich.

In a rare interview, when asked about things she has taken from set, she joked: "The best? My wages! If I could write a script for Rita she'd come into money." Fans have watched Rita deal with huge ordeals over the years, including her 2017 brain tumour and her toxic relationship with Alan Bradley before his grisly tram death in Blackpool in 1989.

But she insists that despite her captivating presence on the soap since 1972, her pick for the true star of the street is Jack P Shepherd, who she suggests was underrated for his acting ability playing David Platt.

Barbara said: "He is adorable. He is an amazing actor. Wonderful work, mischievous, but it comes with the territory. He is a treasure to work with.

Never misses a line, makes the most of every script he has.

"Jack is the best at learning lines and Jack is the one who gets the giggles. He has got the talent to do it." And while soaps on ITV have been victim to tighter budgets in recent years, Barbara is convinced the show will become even bigger again in the future.

"My era was a wonderful time, great talent and everything and comedy, and I think it will come back again.

"We have got lots of things lined up and you will see some new people returning you will like" he was speaking on stage at the Lowry theatre in Salford, Manchester, at one of the An Audience with Coronation Street live shows, which have been touring the UK She recalled arguably her most famous story was when Alan Bradley arrived in Weatherfield and began to manipulate Rita.