Barbara Knox recalls decades-long friendship with Thelma Barlow as she reflects on Coronation Street years

Coronation Street veteran Barbara Knox, now 91, has reflected on a decades-long friendship with former co-star Thelma Barlow, emphasising that the pair never had a cross word during the more than two decades they played Rita Tanner and Mavis Wilton on the ITV soap.

Knox and Barlow formed one of the show’s best-known pairings, appearing together on screen for more than 25 years. While Barlow left the cobbles in 1997 after a 26-year run, Knox has continued to be a staple of the programme. In a recent interview, Knox recalled their close bond, noting that they supported each other through difficult storylines and shared a strong off-screen friendship as well as their on-screen partnership.

They were known on set for their playful camaraderie and shared experiences in the production process. A well-known anecdote from their years together involved a Manchester store sale, where the pair would rummage through a large tub of scarves and occasionally joke about being banned for rummaging. The reminder of their long friendship underscores how colleagues can become lifelong friends in the demanding world of daytime television.

The conversation comes amid chatter about Knox’s ongoing role on the show. While reports have circulated that she signed a one-year deal to remain as Rita through 2026, spelling out her central place in the upcoming 65th-anniversary celebrations, ITV representatives had not publicly commented on the contract details. Knox is widely regarded as the longest-serving star on Coronation Street, behind only William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, in terms of tenure on the soap.

Born into the show’s early years, Knox first appeared on Coronation Street in 1964 and became a regular in 1972. Over the decades, she has grown into a cornerstone of the programme, with Rita Tanner becoming a familiar face at the Rovers Return and the Kabin. The near-legendary status of Knox within the company reflects not only her longevity but her continued centrality to the show’s ongoing storylines as it enters its 65th year.

The broader context of Coronation Street’s history is often highlighted in relation to its long-serving cast. Knox’s place alongside Roache as one of the show’s senior presences helps anchor a cast that has weathered countless production shifts, from evolving filming techniques to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The production team, observers say, values that steady presence as the programme marks a major milestone.

Beyond the studio, the show has had moments that have resonated with fans beyond the plotlines. For example, the production’s 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2021 included a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, who met several long-standing cast members, including Knox, Roache, Sue Nicholls, and Helen Worth, on the cobbles outside the Rovers Return. The meeting occurred as Corrie navigated a period of adaptation in production techniques during the pandemic, with the Royal visit underscoring the show’s cultural significance in British television.

As Coronation Street nears its 65th year on air, Knox’s role remains a key asset for the series, which has thrived on the strength of its character-driven stories and the enduring relationships among its cast. The dynamic between Rita Tanner and Mavis Wilton, both on screen and off, is a reminder of how long-running soap operas can create bonds that outlast the drama itself, continuing to captivate generations of viewers.