Rita Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Rita Sullivan is a long-standing character in the UK television ITV
soap opera
, Coronation Street
. Portrayed by Barbara Knox
the character first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 2 December 1964.
(Philip Lowrie
) in 1964. She reappears eight years later, living with Harry Bates
(William Simons
) and his son Terry (Steve Barratt). She is attracted to Terry's teacher, Ken Barlow (William Roache
), but becomes romantically involved with Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson
) when her relationship with Harry ends in violence. Rita takes a job singing in a nightclub, and goes on to open The Kabin, a corner shop. She and Len marry in 1977. They are unable to adopt due to their age, but take in a foster child, Sharon Gaskell (Tracie Bennett
). Len is killed in a car accident in December 1983, and Rita is devastated to learn he had been having an affair.
Rita takes in a new foster daughter, Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews
), and meets her estranged father Alan
(Mark Eden
). She begins a relationship with him, unaware he is also seeing Gloria Todd (Sue Jenkins
), a barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn
. When Rita discovers his infidelity, she issues him an ultimatum. Although Alan chooses Gloria over Rita, Gloria changes her mind about being with him and ends their affair. Alan is also a conman, and re-mortgages Rita's house to start a security business. He hires Dawn Prescott (Louise Harrison) as a receptionist and tries to rape her. Rita learns of the attack and Alan's fraudulent activities and reports him to the building society. In retaliation, he attempts to suffocate her with a pillow. His attempted murder fails, and though he is arrested and tried, he is found not guilty. He begins stalking Rita, who has a breakdown and disappears. She escapes to Blackpool, where Alan tracks her down and attempts to forcibly return her to Weatherfield
, but is run down by a tram and killed in the attempt. Almost 27 million viewers tuned in to see the episode which was broadcast in 1989.
Rita meets her second husband, Ted Sullivan (William Russell) at the Kabin; he is a sales rep for a firm of sweet manufacturers. Shortly before their marriage, Ted confesses that he is dying of a brain tumour. Rita abandons plans to retire abroad and decides to stay in the Street. Their marriage lasts three months, before he dies in her lap on a park bench. When Derek Wilton
(Peter Baldwin), the husband of Rita's best friend Mavis
(Thelma Barlow
) dies in April 1997, Rita convinces Mavis to start a new life managing in a bed and breakfast
in the Lake District
. Rita changes her mind at the last minute, however, and Mavis leaves alone.
Following Mavis' departure, Rita begins a friendship with Leanne Battersby
(Jane Danson
), who reminds Rita of herself as a teenager. She takes Leanne under her wing and employs her at The Kabin. When Rita collapses in her flat from carbon monoxide poisoning
, she is saved by her friend Alec Gilroy
(Roy Barraclough
). Realising how close he came to losing his best friend, Alec proposes to Rita. She initially turns him down, but later changes her mind and accepts. Their relationship ends several months later when they realise they cannot trust one another. Sharon returns to the Street in 1999, inviting Rita to her upcoming wedding. Rita discovers, however, that Sharon's fiancé Ian Bentley (Jonathan Guy Lewis) is cheating on her with Natalie Barnes
(Denise Welch
), landlady of the Rovers. Sharon ends the relationship, and decides to stay in Weatherfield, where she begins working at The Kabin and moves in next door to Rita. Rita offers Sharon The Kabin as a birthday gift, much to Leanne's disapproval. When Leanne is falsely accused of stealing from the till, she leaves to work at the Rovers. Rita is devastated when Sharon reunites with Ian and puts The Kabin up for sale. She buys back her business, disinheriting Sharon from her will.
Rita meets Anthony Stephens (John Quayle), a cultured man who wants to marry her. However, Rita discovers Anthony is still married to his wife (Dilys Laye
), who has severe Alzheimer's. His adult children interfere in the relationship and when his wife dies, Anthony leaves to live in New Zealand
. When Rita clips Chesney Brown
(Sam Aston
) around the ear for repeatedly stealing sweets from her shop, his mother Cilla (Wendi Peters
) dramatises the incident and has Rita arrested for assaulting a minor. Rita is found guilty and ordered to pay £500 in damages, plus £500 court fees. She verbally abuses the magistrates, and is held in contempt of court and sentenced to a night in the cells. Cilla blackmails Rita into paying her £3,000, prompting Rita to put The Kabin on the market and prepare to leave Weatherfield. Cilla's partner Les Battersby (Bruce Jones) talks Cilla out of her scheme, and Rita decides to stay.
In 2006, Rita takes in Stacey, a local woman who tried to con Fred Elliott
(John Savident
) by pretending to be a Thai bride named Orchid. She had previously conned a man named Stuart (Duncan Preston
), who locked her in his flat for days at a time and inflicted physical violence on her. Stuart traces her to Rita's home and breaks in, destroying her property. He threatens Rita, and though he is arrested, Rita decides to move house. Rita later moves in with her old friend Doreen Fenwick (Barbara Young
), and although they initially get along well, Doreen outstays her welcome. Rita is proposed to by her friend and co-worker Norris Cole
(Malcolm Hebden
). When she turns him down, he proposes to Doreen, though later retracts his proposal.
Rita decides to sell The Kabin to businessman Tony Gordon
(Gray O'Brien
) in 2008, though ultimately does not go through with it. She begins a romance with Colin Grimshaw (Edward DeSouza), becoming engaged to him in April 2009. She calls off the engagement when she discovers he fathered a child with a fifteen-year-old, but mourns him following his sudden death a month later. Rita sells The Kabin to Norris in September 2009, deciding to take a world cruise.
She arrives back on the Street on 15 March 2010. She starts working in a charity shop with close friend Emily Bishop
(Eileen Derbyshire
), but finds it too boring and doesn't like it when Emily won't have a laugh with her. She later apologises to Emily for her erratic behaviour. A few weeks later, Rita learns of Audrey Roberts
's (Sue Nicholls
) romance with hired escort Lewis Archer
(Nigel Havers
). Rita then books Lewis to take her out out to the theatre and is soon swept off her feet by his charm. When Audrey discovers that Rita has been using Lewis's services she has a blazing fight with her.
She returns to working in The Kabin. She also invites Tina McIntyre
(Michelle Keegan
) to live with her after she is made homeless. One night in December 2010, Rita plans to meet Doreen, but Doreen cancels and instead Rita goes to The Kabin to get some chocolates. Just as she is doing this, she is knocked to the ground by an explosion from 'The Joinery' Bar and then a tram falls off the viaduct, crashing into The Kabin, trapping Rita under rubble, a bay of metal shelves and scattered merchandise. Norris and Emily do not start a rescue mission for several hours as they believe Rita is safe with Doreen - until Nick Tilsley
(Ben Price
) arrives back from the hospital. He says that he saw Rita returning to the Kabin at six o'clock and Norris immediately implores fire-fighters to begin a search for her. When she is found and told that the mayhem was caused by a crashed tram, Rita remarks, "What is it with me and trams?" in a humorous reference to Alan Bradley being hit by a tram, 21 years previously. In hospital, an exhausted Rita is found to have only minor injuries with cuts and bruises, she eventually makes a full recovery.
In May 2011, Rita is shocked when she bumps into her old friend Dennis Tanner
(Philip Lowrie
), whom she has not seen since 1964, on the Street. As he has since fallen on hard times and is living as a homeless person, he is highly embarrassed when Rita recognises him and runs off. She later manages to meet with Dennis at the soup kitchen and takes him to the Rovers to meet with old friends Ken Barlow (William Roache
) and Emily Bishop
(Eileen Derbyshire
)
began to earn more. Knox's salary is £260,000 which producers pay to keep her in a secure future with the series. In January 2009, it was speculated that the character was going to be axed from the show in a bid to save money but this was later denied by a show spokesman. Knox was temporarily written out of the serial in August 2009 due to health reasons.
took a break from the show due to ill health and returned on 15 March 2010.
Barbara Knox was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her portrayal of Rita. The 2006 ceremony saw Knox and Malcolm Hebden
, who plays Norris, win the award for "Best On-Screen Partnership."
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
. Portrayed by Barbara Knox
Barbara Knox
Barbara Knox, MBE , is an English actress, best known for playing Rita Sullivan in the television soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:Knox was born in Oldham, Lancashire...
the character first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 2 December 1964.
Storylines
Rita is initially introduced in a one-off appearance as an exotic dancer, and a friend of Dennis TannerDennis Tanner
Dennis Tanner is a fictional character in British soap opera Coronation Street. He is played by Philip Lowrie. The character was created by writer Tony Warren and was introduced in the very first episode on 9 December 1960...
(Philip Lowrie
Philip Lowrie
Colin Philip Lowrie is an English television actor. He played Dennis Tanner, the son of Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street, from 1960 until 1968. On 25 January 2011, it was announced that he would return to the role, reappearing on screen later in the year...
) in 1964. She reappears eight years later, living with Harry Bates
Harry Bates (Coronation Street)
Harry Bates was a fictional character in the British soap opera Coronation Street during 1972. He was married to Rita Littlewood at the time but they divorced in 1973....
(William Simons
William Simons
William Simons is a Welsh actor, born in Swansea on 17 November 1940.He started acting as a child. But, he is best known for his role as Yorkshireman PC Alf Ventress in Heartbeat, a part he played for its entire 18-year run....
) and his son Terry (Steve Barratt). She is attracted to Terry's teacher, Ken Barlow (William Roache
William Roache
William Patrick Harry Roache MBE is a British actor, best known for his role as Ken Barlow in the soap opera Coronation Street...
), but becomes romantically involved with Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson
Peter Adamson
Peter Adamson was a British stage and television actor. He is best known for playing the character of Len Fairclough in the long-running television series Coronation Street from 1961 to 1983.-Life and career:...
) when her relationship with Harry ends in violence. Rita takes a job singing in a nightclub, and goes on to open The Kabin, a corner shop. She and Len marry in 1977. They are unable to adopt due to their age, but take in a foster child, Sharon Gaskell (Tracie Bennett
Tracie Bennett
Tracie Bennett is an English stage and television actress. She trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in Clapham, London...
). Len is killed in a car accident in December 1983, and Rita is devastated to learn he had been having an affair.
Rita takes in a new foster daughter, Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews
Sally Ann Matthews
Sally Ann Matthews , is a British actress known for roles in British soap operas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. She played Jenny Bradley in Coronation Street, the daughter of the villainous Alan Bradley, a role she played from 1986 to 1992, making a brief return the following year...
), and meets her estranged father Alan
Alan Bradley
Alan Bradley is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street. He was played by Mark Eden.Alan is one of the most famous villains in the history of the Street. He made his first appearance in 1986 when his wife Pat was killed in a road accident...
(Mark Eden
Mark Eden
Mark Eden is a British actor.-Career:Born in London, Eden has appeared in repertory theatre in England and Wales and at the Royal Court Theatre. His many television and film roles include the Doctor Who serial Marco Polo in which he played Marco Polo...
). She begins a relationship with him, unaware he is also seeing Gloria Todd (Sue Jenkins
Sue Jenkins
Susan Elizabeth Jenkins is an English actress and one of two daughters of Albert and Marjorie Jenkins.-Biography:Sue Jenkins became an actress at the age of eighteen having studied at drama college...
), a barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn
Rovers Return Inn
The Rovers Return Inn is a fictional public house on the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. The Rovers Return occupies the corner of Coronation Street and Rosamund Street. Since the first episode it has been the principal setting in the show and many of its most memorable moments...
. When Rita discovers his infidelity, she issues him an ultimatum. Although Alan chooses Gloria over Rita, Gloria changes her mind about being with him and ends their affair. Alan is also a conman, and re-mortgages Rita's house to start a security business. He hires Dawn Prescott (Louise Harrison) as a receptionist and tries to rape her. Rita learns of the attack and Alan's fraudulent activities and reports him to the building society. In retaliation, he attempts to suffocate her with a pillow. His attempted murder fails, and though he is arrested and tried, he is found not guilty. He begins stalking Rita, who has a breakdown and disappears. She escapes to Blackpool, where Alan tracks her down and attempts to forcibly return her to Weatherfield
Weatherfield
Weatherfield is a fictional town, based on Salford in North West England, which serves as the setting for the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street...
, but is run down by a tram and killed in the attempt. Almost 27 million viewers tuned in to see the episode which was broadcast in 1989.
Rita meets her second husband, Ted Sullivan (William Russell) at the Kabin; he is a sales rep for a firm of sweet manufacturers. Shortly before their marriage, Ted confesses that he is dying of a brain tumour. Rita abandons plans to retire abroad and decides to stay in the Street. Their marriage lasts three months, before he dies in her lap on a park bench. When Derek Wilton
Derek Wilton
Derek Bernard Wilton was a fictional character on the British television soap opera Coronation Street. He was portrayed by Peter Baldwin. He appeared between 1976 and 1997.-Development:...
(Peter Baldwin), the husband of Rita's best friend Mavis
Mavis Wilton
Mavis Wilton is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Thelma Barlow. A long-running series regular, Mavis appeared in the show for 26 years from 1971 to 1997...
(Thelma Barlow
Thelma Barlow
Thelma Barlow is an English television actress and writer, most famous for her roles as Mavis Wilton in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street and as Dolly Bellfield in the sitcom Dinnerladies....
) dies in April 1997, Rita convinces Mavis to start a new life managing in a bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
in the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
. Rita changes her mind at the last minute, however, and Mavis leaves alone.
Following Mavis' departure, Rita begins a friendship with Leanne Battersby
Leanne Battersby
Leanne Anika Barlow is a fictional character on the soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Jane Danson, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 4 July 1997....
(Jane Danson
Jane Danson
Jane Danson is an English actress, most famous for playing the role of Leanne Battersby in Coronation Street.-Acting:...
), who reminds Rita of herself as a teenager. She takes Leanne under her wing and employs her at The Kabin. When Rita collapses in her flat from carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
, she is saved by her friend Alec Gilroy
Alec Gilroy
Alexander "Alec" Gilroy is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by Roy Barraclough. The character made several appearances in the show as a small-time talent agent, the first in 1972, and later as a series regular from 1986 to 1992. He reappeared briefly in...
(Roy Barraclough
Roy Barraclough
Roy Barraclough MBE is a comic actor. He is best known for his role as the shifty, lugubrious landlord of the Rovers Return, Alec Gilroy in the long-running British TV soap Coronation Street where he formed an on-screen partnership with Bet Lynch .- Career :Roy Barraclough...
). Realising how close he came to losing his best friend, Alec proposes to Rita. She initially turns him down, but later changes her mind and accepts. Their relationship ends several months later when they realise they cannot trust one another. Sharon returns to the Street in 1999, inviting Rita to her upcoming wedding. Rita discovers, however, that Sharon's fiancé Ian Bentley (Jonathan Guy Lewis) is cheating on her with Natalie Barnes
Natalie Barnes
Natalie Felicity Barnes is played by Denise Welch. She appears from 26 February 1997 until 31 December 2000.-1997–2000:...
(Denise Welch
Denise Welch
Jacqueline Denise Healy is an English actress, dancer and television presenter.-Early life:Denise Welch was born in Ebchester, County Durham, to father Vin and mother Ann and has a younger sister Debbie...
), landlady of the Rovers. Sharon ends the relationship, and decides to stay in Weatherfield, where she begins working at The Kabin and moves in next door to Rita. Rita offers Sharon The Kabin as a birthday gift, much to Leanne's disapproval. When Leanne is falsely accused of stealing from the till, she leaves to work at the Rovers. Rita is devastated when Sharon reunites with Ian and puts The Kabin up for sale. She buys back her business, disinheriting Sharon from her will.
Rita meets Anthony Stephens (John Quayle), a cultured man who wants to marry her. However, Rita discovers Anthony is still married to his wife (Dilys Laye
Dilys Laye
Dilys Laye was an English actress and screenwriter, best known for comedy roles. She died of cancer aged 74.- Early life :...
), who has severe Alzheimer's. His adult children interfere in the relationship and when his wife dies, Anthony leaves to live in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. When Rita clips Chesney Brown
Chesney Brown
Chesney Brown is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Sam Aston, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 14 November 2003....
(Sam Aston
Sam Aston
Samuel David "Sam" Aston is an English child actor, best known for having played, since 2003, the role of Chesney Battersby-Brown on Britain's longest running soap opera, Coronation Street...
) around the ear for repeatedly stealing sweets from her shop, his mother Cilla (Wendi Peters
Wendi Peters
Wendi Louise Peters is an English television and theatre character actress. Peters is married to Kenny Linden and they have one daughter together called Gracie who was born in 2000.-Film:...
) dramatises the incident and has Rita arrested for assaulting a minor. Rita is found guilty and ordered to pay £500 in damages, plus £500 court fees. She verbally abuses the magistrates, and is held in contempt of court and sentenced to a night in the cells. Cilla blackmails Rita into paying her £3,000, prompting Rita to put The Kabin on the market and prepare to leave Weatherfield. Cilla's partner Les Battersby (Bruce Jones) talks Cilla out of her scheme, and Rita decides to stay.
In 2006, Rita takes in Stacey, a local woman who tried to con Fred Elliott
Fred Elliott
Frederick Handel "Fred" Elliott is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by John Savident from 1994 until 2006.-Development:...
(John Savident
John Savident
John Savident is a British actor, best known for playing the part of Fred Elliott in the soap opera Coronation Street from 1994 to 2006. And also was a frequent guest on Soccer AM alongside fellow actor Jack 'The Rigger' Spooner....
) by pretending to be a Thai bride named Orchid. She had previously conned a man named Stuart (Duncan Preston
Duncan Preston
Duncan Preston is an English actor probably best known for his appearances in television productions written by Victoria Wood. His best remembered roles are Clifford in the Victoria Wood As Seen On TV soap opera parody Acorn Antiques , and Stan in dinnerladies.In July 2010, Preston revealed he was...
), who locked her in his flat for days at a time and inflicted physical violence on her. Stuart traces her to Rita's home and breaks in, destroying her property. He threatens Rita, and though he is arrested, Rita decides to move house. Rita later moves in with her old friend Doreen Fenwick (Barbara Young
Barbara Young (actor)
Barbara Young is an English actress. She is probably best known for her role as the future Emperor Nero's mother, Agrippinilla, in the landmark 1976 BBC serial I, Claudius....
), and although they initially get along well, Doreen outstays her welcome. Rita is proposed to by her friend and co-worker Norris Cole
Norris Cole
Norris Benjamin Cole is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Malcolm Hebden, the character first appeared onscreen during the episode airing on 11 March 1994 and remained until his departure on 14 April 1997, only to return on 1 December...
(Malcolm Hebden
Malcolm Hebden
Malcolm Hebden is an English television and stage actor best known for his role as Norris Cole in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
). When she turns him down, he proposes to Doreen, though later retracts his proposal.
Rita decides to sell The Kabin to businessman Tony Gordon
Tony Gordon
Anthony "Tony" Gordon was a fictional character in the itv soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by actor Gray O'Brien. The character first appeared on screen on 16 September 2007 and making his final appearance on 9 June 2010 after deciding to sacrifice himself in the Underworld fire. He is a...
(Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien
Gray O'Brien is a Scottish television and film actor, best known for his portrayal of the villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in the popular British soap opera Coronation Street from 2007 to 2010, and as Dr Richard McCaig on Casualty from 1996 to 1998.O'Brien was born in Stewarton,...
) in 2008, though ultimately does not go through with it. She begins a romance with Colin Grimshaw (Edward DeSouza), becoming engaged to him in April 2009. She calls off the engagement when she discovers he fathered a child with a fifteen-year-old, but mourns him following his sudden death a month later. Rita sells The Kabin to Norris in September 2009, deciding to take a world cruise.
She arrives back on the Street on 15 March 2010. She starts working in a charity shop with close friend Emily Bishop
Emily Bishop
Emily Bishop is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
(Eileen Derbyshire
Eileen Derbyshire
Eileen Derbyshire, MBE is an English actress, best known for her role as Emily Bishop on the soap opera Coronation Street. She has played the character since 1961, making her the longest-serving female cast member in a British soap opera...
), but finds it too boring and doesn't like it when Emily won't have a laugh with her. She later apologises to Emily for her erratic behaviour. A few weeks later, Rita learns of Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts
Audrey Roberts is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Sue Nicholls, the character first appeared during the episode aired on 16 April 1979....
's (Sue Nicholls
Sue Nicholls
Susan Frances Harmar Nicholls is an English actress, best known today for her long-running role as Audrey Roberts in British soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
) romance with hired escort Lewis Archer
Lewis Archer
Lewis Archer is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by Nigel Havers. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 December 2009. Lewis is a male escort hired by Audrey Roberts, after she sees him accompanying her rival, Claudia Colby, to a Christmas party...
(Nigel Havers
Nigel Havers
Nigel Allan Havers is an English actor. He is probably best known for his BAFTA-nominated role as Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 British film Chariots of Fire, and for his role as Dr. Tom Latimer in the British TV comedy series Don't Wait Up...
). Rita then books Lewis to take her out out to the theatre and is soon swept off her feet by his charm. When Audrey discovers that Rita has been using Lewis's services she has a blazing fight with her.
She returns to working in The Kabin. She also invites Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre
Tina McIntyre is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by actress Michelle Keegan, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 7 January 2008...
(Michelle Keegan
Michelle Keegan
Michelle Elizabeth Keegan is an English actress who currently plays Tina McIntyre in the soap opera Coronation Street.-Biography:...
) to live with her after she is made homeless. One night in December 2010, Rita plans to meet Doreen, but Doreen cancels and instead Rita goes to The Kabin to get some chocolates. Just as she is doing this, she is knocked to the ground by an explosion from 'The Joinery' Bar and then a tram falls off the viaduct, crashing into The Kabin, trapping Rita under rubble, a bay of metal shelves and scattered merchandise. Norris and Emily do not start a rescue mission for several hours as they believe Rita is safe with Doreen - until Nick Tilsley
Nick Tilsley
Nicholas Paul "Nick" Tilsley is a fictional character in the British soap opera Coronation Street. Originally known as "Nicky", he was the first-born child of Brian Tilsley and Gail Platt , and has been portrayed by three different actors. Warren Jackson from 1981 to 1996, then by Adam Rickitt...
(Ben Price
Ben Price
Ben Price is a British actor, best known for playing the third incarnation of Nick Tilsley in the ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
) arrives back from the hospital. He says that he saw Rita returning to the Kabin at six o'clock and Norris immediately implores fire-fighters to begin a search for her. When she is found and told that the mayhem was caused by a crashed tram, Rita remarks, "What is it with me and trams?" in a humorous reference to Alan Bradley being hit by a tram, 21 years previously. In hospital, an exhausted Rita is found to have only minor injuries with cuts and bruises, she eventually makes a full recovery.
In May 2011, Rita is shocked when she bumps into her old friend Dennis Tanner
Dennis Tanner
Dennis Tanner is a fictional character in British soap opera Coronation Street. He is played by Philip Lowrie. The character was created by writer Tony Warren and was introduced in the very first episode on 9 December 1960...
(Philip Lowrie
Philip Lowrie
Colin Philip Lowrie is an English television actor. He played Dennis Tanner, the son of Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street, from 1960 until 1968. On 25 January 2011, it was announced that he would return to the role, reappearing on screen later in the year...
), whom she has not seen since 1964, on the Street. As he has since fallen on hard times and is living as a homeless person, he is highly embarrassed when Rita recognises him and runs off. She later manages to meet with Dennis at the soup kitchen and takes him to the Rovers to meet with old friends Ken Barlow (William Roache
William Roache
William Patrick Harry Roache MBE is a British actor, best known for his role as Ken Barlow in the soap opera Coronation Street...
) and Emily Bishop
Emily Bishop
Emily Bishop is a long-standing fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street...
(Eileen Derbyshire
Eileen Derbyshire
Eileen Derbyshire, MBE is an English actress, best known for her role as Emily Bishop on the soap opera Coronation Street. She has played the character since 1961, making her the longest-serving female cast member in a British soap opera...
)
Casting
Prior to 2006, Knox was reportedly the highest paid actress with the show, until Anne KirkbrideAnne Kirkbride
Anne Kirkbride is an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street which she has played for thirty-nine years.-Coronation Street:...
began to earn more. Knox's salary is £260,000 which producers pay to keep her in a secure future with the series. In January 2009, it was speculated that the character was going to be axed from the show in a bid to save money but this was later denied by a show spokesman. Knox was temporarily written out of the serial in August 2009 due to health reasons.
Temporary break (2009–2010)
In September 2009 Barbara KnoxBarbara Knox
Barbara Knox, MBE , is an English actress, best known for playing Rita Sullivan in the television soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:Knox was born in Oldham, Lancashire...
took a break from the show due to ill health and returned on 15 March 2010.
Reception
At the 2004 British Soap AwardsBritish Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...
Barbara Knox was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her portrayal of Rita. The 2006 ceremony saw Knox and Malcolm Hebden
Malcolm Hebden
Malcolm Hebden is an English television and stage actor best known for his role as Norris Cole in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street.-Early life:...
, who plays Norris, win the award for "Best On-Screen Partnership."
External links
- Rita Sullivan at itv.comItv.comitv.com is the main website of ITV plc, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster which operates 11 out of 15 regions on the ITV network under the ITV1 brand. The website offers on-line streaming, ITV archive, news, sport, entertainment, games, soaps, lifestyle, drama and an interactive TV...