Barbara Knox facts for kids

Barbara Knox (born 30 September 1933) is a famous English actress. She is best known for playing the character Rita Tanner in the popular TV show Coronation Street for a very long time.

Barbara first appeared as Rita Littlewood in December 1964 for just one episode. She then came back to the show as a regular cast member in January 1972. She is now the second-longest-serving actor in Coronation Street, after William Roache who plays Ken Barlow. Barbara Knox has played Rita for 53 years, making her one of the longest-serving TV soap opera stars in the world!

She started her acting career on stage in 1962. She also had a small role in the 1969 movie Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Barbara won an award in 1989 for her acting in a big storyline involving the character Alan Bradley. In 2006, she won another award with Malcolm Hebden for their on-screen partnership. She also received a special Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 for her amazing career. In 2010, she was given an MBE by the Queen for her services to drama.

Early Life and First Jobs

Barbara Knox was born Barbara Brothwood in Oldham, Lancashire, England. She was an only child. Her mother worked in a mill, and her father was a moulder and later a firefighter.

Barbara left school when she was 15. She worked as a telegraphist at the Post Office, where she learned shorthand and typing. She also worked in offices, shops, and a factory. During this time, she enjoyed acting in amateur theatre groups. In 1962, she got her first professional acting job in a play called The Boyfriend.

Her Acting Journey

Before joining Coronation Street full-time, Barbara appeared in other TV shows. These included Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width, George and the Dragon, and A Family at War. She also spent some time on Emergency – Ward 10.

She also worked on BBC radio, doing various roles for comedy shows. In 1972, she appeared with comedian Ken Dodd in his sketch show Funny You Should Say That.

Life on Coronation Street

Barbara Knox first played Rita Littlewood in Coronation Street on 2 December 1964. She was a friend of Dennis Tanner and only appeared for one episode. She returned in January 1972 as Rita Bates. Since then, her character Rita has been married three times: to Len Fairclough, Ted Sullivan, and Dennis Tanner.

Over the years, Barbara has given interviews about her time on Coronation Street. She appeared on Paul O'Grady Live in 2010 to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary. She also gave interviews on This Morning in 2012 and 2013.

In 2014, Barbara was part of a documentary called Coronation Street: A Moving Story. This show was about the TV set moving to a new location. On 31 December 2014, ITV celebrated her 50 years as Rita with a special documentary called Rita and Me. She also gave an interview on Lorraine in December 2017.

Barbara Knox is currently the second-longest-serving cast member on Coronation Street. She is only behind William Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since the very first episode in December 1960.

Personal Life

Barbara Knox has been married twice and has three children: Maxine, John, and Amanda.

She is a very private person and does not often give interviews in public. However, she has appeared in some Coronation Street documentaries and at television awards shows with her co-stars.

Awards and Honours

Barbara Knox was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2010. This honour was given to her for her great contributions to drama.