It's fair to say that Barbara Knox is a legend when it comes to her years on Coronation Street. She has played Rita in the ITV soap for more than 50 years after an initial one-off appearance as the exotic dancer, Rita Littlewood, in 1964 before returning as a full-time cast member eight years later.
READ MORE: Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd says 'I never' as he makes Tina O'Brien observation after 25 yearsBut she's also had a fair share of drama over the years as who can forget back in 1989, when thuggish Alan secretly mortgaged Rita's house to pay for his business and assaulted her when she found out. Alan then met his end in Blackpool when he was hit by a tram while chasing Rita through the seaside resort.
But before the official presentation got underway, Barbara had an emotional reunion with the soap's Mavis Wilton actress Thelma, 94. The actresses have remained great friends away from the small screen after over 30 years spent playing on-screen double act Rita and Mavis throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s. And Barbara was left wiping away tears after the reunion.
But while she may be one of the most respected stars in Corrie history, she has opened up open up about how there was some backstage tension after an episode in 1974. In it, Bet Lynch won a Spot the Ball competition which called for a girls' trip to Majorca.