Five Fast Facts About British Soap Star Barbara Knox

Barbara Knox is a British soap actress who is best known for playing Rita Littlewood on Coronation Street for close to 50 years.

Along with her work on the soap, Knox has also worked in theater and has appeared in other British programs such as Never Mind the Quality, George and the Dragon, and A Family at War. From where she was born and raised to her personal life, here are five fast facts about the actress.

Who Is Barbara Knox?

Knox was born on September 30 in Oldham, Lancashire. Knox decided to leave school when she was just 15 in order to work as a telegraphist in the Post Office. She worked a number of odd jobs in order to make ends meet while she participated in amateur theater.

Soap Career
Knox first played the role of Rita Littlewood in Coronation Street in December 1964, but she only appeared in one episode. She then returned in January 1972 as Rita Bates and has been a part of the show ever since. She has become the show’s second-longest serving cast member.

Little White Lie
The UK Sun newspaper decided to surprise Knox with a birthday cake to celebrate her birthday back in 1993, but it actually ended up exposing the actress’s little white lie. Apparently she pretended to be five years younger, so nobody knew she was 60 until that very moment!

Big Honor

Knox won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards in 2004 for her work on Coronation Street. She was also appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to television in 2010.

Getting Personal With Barbara Knox
Knox married Denis Mullaney in 1956 and they have three children together: Maxine, John, and Amanda. However, they split in 1977. She then married John Knox later that year, but they called it quits in 1994.

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