In an emotional and heartfelt Instagram live stream, Coronation Street star Sally Anne Matthews, best known for her role as Jenny Bradley, opened up about her co-star Barbara Knox, who has portrayed Rita Tanner on the show for over six decades. During the intimate session with fans, Sally Anne became visibly emotional as she discussed Rita’s future on the cobbles and shared a touching update on Barbara’s health and work life.

Sally Anne was answering fan questions when one fan asked how much longer Barbara might continue to appear on Coronation Street. Having played Rita since 1964, Barbara is one of the longest-serving members of the Corrie cast, with only William Roache (Ken Barlow) surpassing her in terms of longevity on the show. Despite being 91 years old, Barbara has shown no signs of slowing down, which led Sally Anne to respond with a deeply emotional update.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Sally Anne explained that the thought of Rita leaving the show was a tough one for her to process. “That’s a really difficult one,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. She confirmed that Barbara is not going anywhere anytime soon, revealing that Barbara has even expressed regret about not working more. “She’s said she hasn’t got enough lines to learn,” Sally Anne shared, adding that Barbara thrives when she has more substantial dialogue. “I do think they will give her more scenes with dialogue going forward because she thrives off that. She’s absolutely brilliant.”

Sally Anne went on to describe how Barbara is still very much active and engaged in her work. “She’s 91, but she still loves performing,” she continued. “She would rather do a couple of scenes with me or with Peter Gun (Brian Packham) or with Patty Clare (Mary Taylor) or Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe). She wants a three-page scene, something that she can really sink her teeth into.” Sally Anne emphasized that Barbara is more than capable of memorizing lines and performing at the top of her game, but she prefers working in smaller, more intimate settings where she feels comfortable and can focus on meaningful material.

“Barbara doesn’t want to be sitting in the Rovers with loads of people and talking about things she doesn’t know,” Sally Anne explained. “She prefers scenes where she can really engage, where she knows the material and can show off her sharp mind.” Despite her age, Barbara remains as sharp as ever, and Sally Anne recalled how Barbara still occasionally gives her a bit of friendly advice on set. “She tells me off sometimes,” Sally Anne said with a chuckle. “But she’s brilliant. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Fans of Coronation Street were quick to express their emotions in the live stream’s comments section, with many voicing their love and admiration for Barbara. One fan wrote, “Stop this, what a literal legend,” while another added, “This made me so emotional, love her so much.” Many fans shared similar sentiments, expressing how much they appreciate Barbara’s contribution to the show and how much they hope to see Rita continue on Coronation Street for many years to come.

Sally Anne’s heartfelt message about her beloved co-star struck a chord with fans, reminding everyone of the incredible legacy that Barbara Knox has built on Coronation Street. Despite the challenges of age, Barbara continues to bring her A-game to the role of Rita Tanner, and it’s clear from Sally Anne’s emotional update that her talent, spirit, and dedication to the craft are as strong as ever. As Coronation Street moves forward, fans can only hope that Rita will continue to be a fixture on the cobbles for as long as Barbara feels able to share her gifts with the world.

If you’re a fan of Coronation Street, don’t forget to like, comment, and share this update, and stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights on your favorite soap.