Rita Tanner (also Littlewood, Bates, Fairclough and Sullivan) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Played by veteran actress Barbara Knox, the character first appeared on-screen as "Rita Littlewood" for one episode on 2 December 1964, before returning as a full-time cast member on 31 January 1972.
Although having no children of her own, Rita is known for being something of a mother figure to a number of the street’s female residents, including Sharon Gaskell (Tracie Bennett), Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews), Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor), Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) and Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell).
Development The producers of the show decided to pair Rita with Mavis Wilton portrayed by Thelma Barlow by giving Mavis a job in Rita's newsagents shop; the characters' relationship has been described as a chalk and cheese comedy partnership. Christine Geraghty has cited Rita and Mavis' friendship as an example of a soap opera portraying an important, stable, intimate female relationship: "Rita is Mavis's boss, but she is also one of her closest friends".
Prior to 2006, Knox was reportedly the highest-paid actress with the show, until Anne Kirkbride began to earn more. Knox's salary is £260,000 a year which producers pay to keep her in a secure future with the series.
In January 2009, it was speculated that Knox and other veteran actors were going to be axed from the show in a bid to save money but this was later denied by a Coronation Street spokesman. Knox was temporarily written out of the series in August 2009 for health reasons. She returned to the show on 15 March 2010. Her character was said to be on a world cruise with friend Doreen Fenwick, after selling her share of The Kabin to Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden).
In April 2010 a spokesman for Coronation Street announced that Knox has a job for life on the show and that she will continue to play her character Rita for as long as she wants to be there.
In May 2011, a Daily Mirror reporter announced that Rita and Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) would become love rivals, following Dennis Tanner's (Philip Lowrie) return. Lowrie hinted at a possible relationship between Dennis and Rita, saying "I asked Barbara Knox, who plays Rita, how many husbands has she had? She said three, so there might be a fourth, you never know!" Rita and Dennis begin a relationship and series producer Phil Collinson stated "Rita genuinely loves Dennis very much. Their storyline harks back to 1964, when he looked after her and took her in. Now he's grown to love her because she's been able to look after him. I like that we can tell a love story of people in their 70s, and it's a relationship that we're really committed to. I'd love for Rita to have a wedding, so watch this space! And if we did have one, she'd be Mrs Tanner – how great is that?" Collinson later revealed Rita and Dennis would get married and their wedding would coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
In August 2017, the character was involved in a storyline which saw her diagnosed with a brain tumour. Many of the show's fans were devastated by the idea that such a beloved and iconic character might be killed off. The storyline received a lot of media attention and criticism from the viewers, as it began shortly after the death of Ashley Thomas, a character from fellow ITV programme Emmerdale, who had a seemingly similar diagnosis. Within days of the storyline being introduced a "Save Rita" campaign was set up online and attracted over 500 signatures. A spokesperson for Coronation Street later denied that the character was going to die, and confirmed that Knox remains very much part of the show.
In December 2019, it was reported that Rita would feature in a big storyline over Christmas. Producer Ian Macleod relished the chance to give Barbara Knox the spotlight after all of these decades in Weatherfield. "It's a really good story actually and Barbara Knox, as is always the case, if you give her something big to do she nails it," he said. "I'm not saying that with any hint of surprise in my voice, she's been doing it for decades. She's so good at it and it's a great story. She's embraced it with the gusto you'd expect from someone who's been doing it for so long."
Storylines
Rita was first seen as a belly dancer who is set to perform at the Viaduct Sporting Club. At first she appeared with local resident Stan Ogden (Bernard Youens) and was invited for a drink at The Rovers Return Inn public house. But one of the punters, Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie), recognises Rita when they encounter each other in the pub. She cannot find gigs for the week and persuades a reluctant Dennis to let her sleep in the bed owned by his mother Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix) while she's away. Dennis worries what people will say about Rita staying with him. When fellow occupant Emily Nugent (Eileen Derbyshire) calls on Dennis, she is shocked to see Rita in her nightie. The next morning, Lucille Hewitt (Jennifer Moss) wonders why Dennis is making up a breakfast tray. Dennis tells Rita of his disillusionment with show business. Charlie Moffitt (Gordon Rollings) slips on the joists in the loft and puts his foot through the ceiling of Elsie's room. He apologises to the figure in the bed and realises it is not Elsie. Dennis pays for the hole to be repaired when Charlie blackmails him about the incident, but Elsie sees the hole and hears about Rita, who does not reappear for another seven years.
In January 1972, Rita resurfaces with her common-law partner Harry Bates (William Simons) and his twelve-year-old son Terry (John Barrett). The relationship suffers when Rita begins spending time with various men, initially dating neighbour Ken Barlow (William Roache). Rita then starts an on-off relationship with Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson). Len arrives at Harry's house to return a scarf that Rita left in his van. Len tells his friends Jerry Booth (Graham Haberfield) and Ray Langton (Neville Buswell), to stay out of the house that evening as he's entertaining a lady, but Ray delays leaving until Rita arrives. Rita tells Len that her husband is often away working on building motorways, and is clearly not happy. Len tells her how much he likes her but then Rita's current love interest Alf Roberts (Bryan Mosley) interrupts them.
Alf tells Rovers barmaid Betty Turpin (Betty Driver) that Rita's house is due for demolition and Len, as a councillor, is on the housing committee, and he thinks this is the reason for her interest in him. Rita tells Len she has to vacate by the end of the week. Len agrees to help her as she's on the housing list. Rita introduces Len to Harry, convinced Len will get them a house. Len arranges an appointment for them, and they are offered a flat but need a marriage certificate and they reveal to Len that they have lied about being married, since Harry already has a wife. Len refuses to pull strings for them and is annoyed at being lied to. Harry kicks Rita out and she seeks help from Len, but he declines having her live with him long term at No.9. When Elsie refuses to take her in, her friend Maggie Clegg (Irene Sutcliffe) invites Rita to stay as long as she has to but no longer. Harry arrives back at the site. Len tells him that he's only interested in Rita's welfare, but Rita tells Len she doesn't want to go back to Harry. Two months later, Len gets tickets for the opening of the new Victoria Street Working Men's Club and invites Elsie and Alan Howard (Alan Browning). Len is shocked when Rita is introduced singing on stage, though Elsie thinks he knew all along that she would be there. After her set, Len helps her when she is bothered by a drunk, and brings Rita to his table. Elsie is cold with her. Rita says she hasn't been with Harry Bates and his family for two months. She and Len agree to get to know one another again. From June 1972, the character is once again credited as Rita Littlewood.
Rita turns up at The Rovers to see Len and auditions for Alec Gilroy. Ray and Jerry do not like her, but she gets a regular spot from Alec. Jerry tells Ray he thinks Rita is a gold-digger. Rather than be taken out for the night by Len, she makes a meat and potato pie for the lads and wins Jerry over. Len takes her home and next morning Ray and Jerry discover he hasn't come back but has spent the night with her. Len brings Rita to the opening of a new betting shop. Benny Lewis (Jeremy Young), the owner, talks Rita into an afternoon job as a hostess. Len thinks he's got designs on her. Rita refuses to clean for Benny. Benny asks Rita to join the staff permanently. Rita is not sure and asks Len who tells her it's her decision. Rita still cannot decide whether to take the job with Benny. Len books a meal out for the two of them. Benny also asks Rita to come round to his flat that night but she turns him down. Len tells Rita he cannot take her out after all. Benny entertains Rita in his new luxury flat above the betting shop though few of the remote control things work properly. Stan's partner Hilda Ogden (Jean Alexander) finds them there together. Rita tells Benny she will work for him. Hilda gleefully gossips to Len that Rita is with Benny. Rita stands Benny up to go out with Len. Rita skives off work to be with Benny. Rita passes on an invite to Len for drinks at Benny's flat.
Benny tries to get Rita to stay for a few drinks but she refuses as she has a date with Len. Rita and Len join Elsie and Alan for a drink in The Rovers before they go out and the ice begins to thaw between Elsie and Rita. Jerry advises Benny to tell Rita he's serious about her as Len doesn't want anything permanent. Benny questions Rita about Len's treatment of her. Rita tells Len that Benny is always asking questions about him as he's interested in her. Benny asks Len how serious he is about Rita. He tells him he is not. Benny rings Rita and passes on what Len just said. She's hurt. Len tells Rita to choose between him and Benny. Benny asks Rita to marry him and she accepts him. Jerry tells Len that Rita is not steady enough for him. Benny presents Rita with an expensive engagement ring. Jerry tells Benny that he was wrong and that Len has real feelings for Rita. Benny asks to see Len and tells him that he's not certain Rita wants to marry him and that she and Len are meant for each other. He wants Len to confess his feelings to Rita. Len tells Rita that Benny is backing out and leaving the field open for him. He confesses he needs her and Rita goes off with him, leaving a disappointed Benny behind. Lucille spreads the word that Rita's engagement to Benny is over. Len insists that Rita give Benny his ring back. The residents get the wrong idea and think that Len is marrying Rita. Rita tells Len that she tried to give the ring back to Benny but he told her to keep it.
Rita tells Len that her landlady Lena Norris has told her that she cannot have men visitors after 9 pm. Jerry warns Len that Rita has given up a lot for him and hasn't gotten much back. Len gets rid of Jerry to entertain Rita at No.9. Jerry interrupts Len and Rita just as they get amorous on the sofa. Having got rid of Jerry, Len and Rita start cuddling on the sofa. Ray interrupts them to borrow money off Len to take Mandy Taylor (Sarah Twist) out. Jerry gatecrashes Len and Rita's night again to collect his pen and notepad. He is soon followed by Ray, who abandoned his date as he found Mandy too hard to keep up with. Len pays him to go to the Rovers. Len sets up a rota so he can have time alone with Rita at No.9. Ray and Jerry are miffed that they each get one evening a week while Len gets two. Benny realises nearly £5,000 has been stolen. In his time of need, he calls on Rita before informing the police.