Spoiler alert! Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Tanner on Coronation Street. says that her character faces challenges ahead following her brain tumour diagnosis.
Rita was previously thought to have dementia after she became forgetful and collapsed at a hen party last week and was rushed to hospital. An MRI scan suggested that she had a brain tumour.
Speaking about Rita's new challenge, she said: "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.
"As an actress playing the role I am mindful that there are people going through this in real life and it is vital that we do their stories justice."
84-year-old Knox first appeared in Coronation Street fin 1964, before becoming a regular cast member in 1972.
She said that there will be big decisions and uncertainty in Rita's life. "There is a long way to go yet in this story-line for Rita; as we follow her journey from the devastating diagnosis and how she comes to terms with the uncertainty of what the future holds for her, she has some big decisions to make in the coming weeks.
The actress added: "Until I started working on this story-line 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."
There have been rumours that the octogenarian actress may be winding up her role with Jenny (Sally Ann Matthews) hinting change is afoot.
If you are affected by the subject of this article please contact Brain Tumour Ireland at info@braintumourireland.com braintumourireland.com
Or The Irish Cancer Society. Call the Cancer Nurseline, Freephone 1800 200 700 with any question on any cancer from anybody. Monday-Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Coronation Street is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday on TV3.
