CORONATION Street fans have gone wild after Rita and Mavis reunited in an ‘iconic’ video of Barbara Knox and Thelma Barlow.
Barbara, 89, will celebrate her 90th birthday in September, and in honour of the milestone, a rose has been named after her.
Coronation Street fans have gone wild after Rita and Mavis reunited in an ‘iconic’ video of Barbara Knox and Thelma Barlow
The women were a classic soap duo for three decades as Mavis and Rita
Barbara has had a rose named after her ahead of her 90th birthday in September
The actress – who has played Rita Tanner in Coronation Street since 1972 – attended the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park on Wednesday to be presented with the rose.
She also enjoyed a reunion with fellow actress Thelma, 94, who played Rita’s BFF Mavis Wilton until 1997.
The women shared the screen across three decades and their bond was still clear as they cried with laughter together at the flower show.
The pair were caught on camera as Barbara is being filmed for a new ITV documentary to celebrate her 90th birthday, which will be released this Autumn.
Speaking about having the golden rose named after her, Barbara told the MEN: “How would you feel if somebody gave you the most beautiful gift you ever had?
“And it’s a rose named after you – it really is amazing, so very special.”
She added about the documentary and the lead up to her 90th birthday: “It’s all been very different and unexpected and oh my goodness lots of surprises are coming up.”
She described her reunion with Thelma as “magnificent” before discussing their on-screen partnership.
Barbara said: “She was the best partner I could ever have had.
“We were great friends, we were so fond of each other, we went everywhere together. We really were good friends as well as acting together so well.
“We’ve kept in touch over the years and thank god she looks so well.”
She added: “I would love Mavis back, like a shot.”
Fans were delighted to see the women back together, with one writing alongside a video of them laughing: “This is completely iconic!
@itvcorrie’s Rita and Mavis reunited at @The_RHS Tatton Flower Show.”
Les Dennis – who has also appeared in Coronation Street – replied: “How wonderful.”
Another fan wrote: “I have a great fondness for Rita and Mavis and great admiration for the two ladies who brought them to life.”
A fellow Corrie fan tweeted: “Oh my! I’ve had a rotten old day but this has made me cry with joy!”
Barbara reunited with Thelma, 94, at the RHS Tatton Flower Show on Wednesday
