Barbara Knox

Barbara Knox MBE (born 30 September 1933), is a British actress, known for her portrayal of Rita Sullivan in the television soap opera Coronation Street. She appeared for one episode as Rita in 1964, before becoming a regular cast member from 1972 onwards.

Knox made her professional stage debut in 1962 at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, had a small role as a dancer in the 1969 remake of Goodbye Mr. Chips and appeared opposite Ken Dodd in his 1972 comedy series Funny You Should Say That. For her part in perhaps her best remembered storyline in Coronation Street, involving the Alan Bradley character, she won the 1989 TV Times Award for Best Actress. In 2006, she won the British Soap Award for Best On-Screen Partnership with Malcolm Hebden, having previously received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2004 ceremony. She was made an MBE in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Early life

Knox was born Barbara Brothwood in Oldham, Lancashire. Her mother worked in a mill while her father was a moulder at Platt's Foundry, and later a fireman.