Coronation Street legends Rita and Mavis reunite after 26 years

Coronation Street’s Rita Tanner and Mavis Wilton were reunited in a heartwarming moment after 26 years apart.

The iconic actresses that once strutted on the legendary cobbles at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in Cheshire on Wednesday, July 19th.

Blue Diamond Garden Centres and its brand, Fryer’s Roses, launched a new rose on behalf of Barbara Knox, aptly named Gracious Lady, in her honour to celebrate her upcoming 90th birthday.

Thelma Barlow, 94, departed the famous street in 1997, meanwhile, Barbara has played Rita regularly since 1972, following a one-off appearance in 1964.

After over three decades — throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s — of sharing the screen, the day proved an emotional one for the two actresses who have remained friends ever since.

As they both wept tears of joy, the whole moment was being filmed as part of a major new ITV documentary, set to be released this Autumn to celebrate Barbara’s birthday. 

Coronation Street fans have longed for Mavis to make a return and reunite with Rita, with Thelma revealing in the past that she’s often asked by producers to stage a comeback.

Soap legend Barbara will celebrate her 90th birthday later this year, with a special show set to air on ITV1 and ITVX to mark the big event.

Bradley Walsh, who played Danny Baldwin, will chat to Barbara as she takes a look back on the highlights of her television and theatre career. She will also share photos from her childhood and stories about her life away from the set — something she’s always kept private.