Coronation Street lovers were in bits this week after the ITV soap aired hints

at a possible farewell plot for Weatherfield legend Rita Tanner. Soap royalty Barbara Knox,

who’s been gracing our screens as Rita since 1964, was seen heading to the Bistro

with Brian Packham for a so-called “performance review” of her time at the Kabin – a gig she’s been in for decades.

The catch-up began on a light note, with Brian grilling Rita on whether her “gender identity was being respected”, to which she snapped back: “I have to be up at five every morning for the papers, I don’t have time for gender identity!”

However, things took a more morose twist when he asked: “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” and Rita could only offer a sarcastic smirk rather than banter back, nudging the thought that she may not expect to be around much longer.

Fans hopped onto socials to share their worries after the hint was dropped. One gutted User X blurted out about the grim nod on the site previously dubbed Twitter: “Oh god, Rita death mention!” While another insisted: “In ten years time Rita will still be behind the counter being her true gender identity self!”

Rita Tanner was asked where she sees herself in 10 years

Others though found time for a chuckle amid the drama. A fan chuckled: “Asking Rita if she was happy with her gender identity in the workplace was not on my #Corrie bingo card today!” And another quipped: “Have turned Corrie on for the first time in years and it appears I’ve picked a good episode! Glad to see Rita, David, and Shona are still in it!”

Meanwhile, a fifth fan praised: “Rita Tanner is supposed to be 92, and Barbara Knox is in fact 90. They look *fabulous*!” In just ten years, soap icon Rita would reach the grand age of 102, a milestone that’s certainly within reach given her still youthful appearance.

Barbara Knox, who plays the beloved character, faced health challenges off-screen too. She took time off from Coronation Street when the pandemic struck in 2020 to shield due to age.

Brian brought her to the Bistro for a catch-up

Her on-screen persona grappled with memory loss and a frightening collapse at the Rovers Return in 2017.

Following an MRI scan, it was revealed Rita had a brain lesion and needed surgery. Barbara Knox acknowledged the gravity of the storyline handed to her: “When our producer Kate Oates talked to me about the brain tumour storyline for Rita, I was truly honoured to be tasked with taking on such an important story.”

The actress also shared a newfound awareness, saying, “Until I started working on this storyline I had no idea that a brain tumour could cause someone to act in the way Rita has been. It is a frightening disease and my thoughts are with everyone affected by a brain tumour.”