Coronation Street’s Barbara Knox, 91, ‘signs a one-year deal’ as she gives major update on her future on the cobbles

Coronation Street legend Barbara Knox has reportedly ‘signed a one-year deal’ to continue in her iconic soap role.

The actress, 91, who has played Rita Tanner on the soap since 1972, is rumoured to have secured her spot throughout 2026 – with bosses eager to keep her amid the show’s 65th anniversary.

A source told The Mirror: ‘Barbara secured her future on Coronation Street earlier this year and both her and show bosses are delighted fans will continue to see her on screen.

‘She still loves the show and everyone involved with it – and viewers want to see Rita at the Rovers and in the Kabin for years to come. It’s a win-win situation.’

Further insights reveal the actress – who is the longest-serving cast member – will be ‘central to the celebrations’.

MailOnline has contacted ITV representatives for a comment on this.

Coronation Street legend Barbara Knox, 91, has reportedly 'signed a one-year deal' to continue in her iconic soap role (pictured in 2017)
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Coronation Street legend Barbara Knox, 91, has reportedly ‘signed a one-year deal’ to continue in her iconic soap role (pictured in 2017)

The acting legend who has played Rita Tanner on the soap since 1972, is rumoured to have secured her spot throughout 2026 - with bosses eager to keep her amid the show's 65th anniversary (pictured in 2022)
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The acting legend who has played Rita Tanner on the soap since 1972, is rumoured to have secured her spot throughout 2026 – with bosses eager to keep her amid the show’s 65th anniversary (pictured in 2022)

The soap veteran first joined the ITV series in 1964 making an initial appearance and became a regular in 1972.

Barbara is the second-longest-serving cast member in Coronation Street behind William Roache, 92, who plays Ken Barlow.

It is thought Barbara commands a healthy £200,000 per year for her role as Rita.

The soap queen met the real Queen Elizabeth – who passed away in 2022 aged 96 – when she visited the Corrie set in 2021.

The monarch was greeted by soap stalwarts Barbara, William Roache, Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts) and Helen Worth (Gail Platt) outside the Rovers Return.

She looked delighted to meet the Corrie quartet, and during her cobbles visit – to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary – she learned how the soap adapted its filming process amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking on Lorraine, she said: ‘We were still operating under COVID restrictions so we were all at two metres.

‘It was phenomenal and she had the sparkliest, smiley eyes you’ve ever seen and I chatted to her about take-away hotpot.

'Barbara secured her future on Coronation Street earlier this year and both her and show bosses are delighted fans will continue to see her on screen,' a source told The Mirror (pictured in 2004)
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 ‘Barbara secured her future on Coronation Street earlier this year and both her and show bosses are delighted fans will continue to see her on screen,’ a source told The Mirror (pictured in 2004)

Further insights reveal the actress - who is the longest-serving cast member - will be 'central to the celebrations'
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View gallery

Further insights reveal the actress – who is the longest-serving cast member – will be ‘central to the celebrations’

Barbara flaunts the seat of second-longest-serving cast member in Coronation Street, right behind William Roache, 92, who plays Ken Barlow
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Barbara flaunts the seat of second-longest-serving cast member in Coronation Street, right behind William Roache, 92, who plays Ken Barlow

‘She was so engaged and for someone who’s met everybody and does three or four engagements in a day she listened to everybody and you could see she was taking it all in.’We were all in the Rovers practising our curtsy.’

It comes after a big Coronation Street star is reportedly set for a ‘new romance’ and ‘big storylines’ following her shock marriage split.

It was revealed last week that Tina O’Brien, 41, had split from her husband Adam Crofts after seven years of marriage, following weeks of speculation.

The couple, who share ten-year-old son Beau, are said to be ‘on good terms’ for the sake of their son but their differing lifestyles reportedly drove them apart.

However, on the cobbles Tina’s on-screen career is reportedly going up a notch as  ITV bosses are said to have some big moments in store for her character, Sarah Platt.

According to The Sun, Tina’s character is going to have a sizzling new romance with policeman Kit Green, played by Jacob Roberts.

A source told the publication: ‘Bosses are relieved that Tina is up for another year on the cobbles after losing some big names over the past months.

‘She’s got big storylines coming up for Sarah including a juicy new romance with gorgeous PC Green.

‘Tina’s happy she can dive into work and keep busy amid her marriage split.’