“RITA HAS SOME BIG DECISIONS TO MAKE”
Corrie’s Barbara Knox on her alter ego’s battle…
Street actress Barbara Knox has spoken out for the first time about her character Rita’s brain tumour battle, and what may be ahead for one of the show’s most popular characters.
“There is a long way to go yet in this storyline for Rita,” said the star, who has been on the cobbles for five decades. “As we follow her journey from the diagnosis to how she comes to terms with the uncertainty of what the future holds, she has some big decisions to make in coming weeks.
“When our producer Kate Oates talked to me about the brain tumour storyline for Rita, I was honoured to be tasked with taking on such an important story,” added Barbara. “I was determined to ensure that we got every aspect of the portrayal of such a devastating illness correct.”
This week, we see Rita preparing to face the future, as she treats her nearest and dearest to a slap-up meal at the Bistro, then sets the wheels in motion to sell her flat to Colin. Her friend Gemma might be concerned by how much she’s splashing out, but for Barbara, Rita’s behaviour has been an interesting journey.
“Until I started working on this story, I had no idea that a brain tumour could cause someone to act in the way Rita has been,” she revealed. “It can’t just be me who was surprised by how it affected Rita, so clearly not enough is known about brain tumours and their symptoms. It is a frightening disease, and my thoughts are with everyone affected by a brain tumour.”
Corrie has worked closely with the national charity Brain Tumour Research on this storyline. You can support the charity’s vital work by donating at www.braintumourresearch.org