Rita Sullivan

Rita Tanner (also Littlewood, Bates, Fairclough and Sullivan) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Barbara Knox, the character first appeared onscreen as "Rita Littlewood" for one episode on 2 December 1964, before returning as a full-time cast member on 31 January 1972. Knox is currently the second longest-serving cast member in the show. The character of Rita is one of the most beloved and iconic characters on any British soap opera. The actress is recognised as being one of the List of longest-serving soap opera actors.

Rita Sullivan
Coronation Street character
Portrayed byBarbara Knox
Duration1964, 1972–
First appearanceEpisode 415
2 December 1964
Introduced byTim Aspinall (1964)
Brian Armstrong (1972)
Spin-off
appearances
ClassificationPresent; regular
Profile
Other names
  • Rita Littlewood
  • Rita Bates
  • Rita Fairclough
  • Rita Tanner
OccupationBusinesswoman
Newsagent
Belly Dancer
Home10a Coronation Street

She is known for being something of a mother figure to a number of the street's residents including Sharon Gaskell (Tracie Bennett), Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews), Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor), Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) and Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell).