Former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay has revealed that Barbara Knox, who has played Rita Tanner for over 50 years, was once left starstruck by one of the soap's original cast members.
Lindsay, who played Shelley Unwin on the ITV soap from 2001 to 2006, shared the anecdote on the Once Upon a Time podcast. She recalled her first day on set, which involved a scene with Knox.
“On my first day, one of my first scenes was with Barbara Knox, who plays Rita. I went over to give her a drink – my character had to go over and give her a drink and say a line. [She'd say] 'Oh, who are you then?' 'I'm Shelley...' Or whatever. And she went, 'Oh, who are you then?'” Lindsay said.
“I went to say it and I just froze. I couldn't breathe. The nerves. 'Cause obviously when you're northern, Coronation Street is such a part of the fabric of our... if anybody rings you after half seven [and interrupts Corrie], somebody's dead. They'd have to be dead. Not even on the verge!”
Lindsay continued: “I couldn't speak, because I was so in awe. I just froze. I said, 'I'm so sorry, I'm terribly embarrassed, I'm just a bit overwhelmed by everything and you!'”
Barbara Knox's Reaction
Despite Lindsay's nervousness, Knox was understanding. Lindsay revealed that Knox told her: “Don't worry darling, I did exactly the same to Doris Speed!”
Doris Speed played Annie Walker, the iconic landlady of the Rovers Return, for 46 years. She took over the tenancy with her husband Jack (Arthur Leslie) in 1937, 23 years before Coronation Street first aired. Annie was known for her no-nonsense attitude and memorable moments, such as when the pub was ransacked by burglars in 1975.
Rita Tanner's Legacy
Barbara Knox first appeared on Coronation Street in 1964 as exotic dancer Rita Littlewood. She became a regular in 1972 and took over The Kabin in 1973. Rita has had three husbands—Len Fairclough, Ted Sullivan, and Dennis Tanner—and holds the record for receiving 15 marriage proposals from 12 different men.
Doris Speed died in 1994 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy as one of Corrie's most beloved characters. Lindsay's story highlights the enduring impact of the soap's original stars on newer generations of actors.
