Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow and Rita Tanner stars confirm if they’ll retire from soap

The idea of Coronation Street without Weatherfield stalwarts, William Roache (Ken Barlow) and Barbara Knox (Rita Tanner) seems utterly unfathomable to most soap fans.

After all, William has been a constant on the cobbles as Ken since the very first episode in December, 1960, and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving actor in a continuous TV role.

Barbara, meanwhile, first appeared as exotic dancer, Rita Littlewood, in 1964. Following her initial appearance, she became a full-time cast member eight years later. Rita has her own award for receiving more marriage proposals than any other character, tallying a massive 15 from 12 different men.

After such long tenures, are William and Barbara considering slowing down and perhaps retiring from life on the cobbles?

Are William Roache and Barbara Knox retiring from Coronation Street?

Whilst appearing at the Variety Club Awards on Sunday evening, during which they were presented with the Silver Heart Award for Outstanding Contributions to Television, both highly regarded actors answered press questions.

When asked what keeps them feeling young while in their nineties, Barbara answered: ‘Well honestly, I think we’ve had the opportunity to work, that’s the greatest thing.’

When asked about potential retirement plans, she added: ‘I don’t want to and I know Bill doesn’t want to retire, because stimulus from your brain gets you up. So we’re fortunate to have been able to do that.’

William added that success in his later years comes from ‘enjoying himself’ while revealing that his son ‘makes him exercise’, with Barbara quipping: ‘the lighting helps!’

Both actors have previously stated their intentions to stay with the show. In a 2017 interview on Lorraine, Barbara said: ‘I would like to keep working. I really would. It is marvellous. It’s stimulating.

‘You get fed up. You get tired. And yet at the end of the day, you go, ‘Oh thank god. That’s wonderful to work.’ So I would like to.’

She later reminisced over her first day of filming on Coronation Street, admitting that she remembers it vividly: ‘I do because it was that wonderful team,’ though also recalled losing her voice before the day: ‘I lost my voice. I did. It was nerves.’

Speaking on his 90th birthday, William said: ‘People will say, ‘When are you retiring?’ But then what happens? Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me. For me, it’s really just the same as ever. Getting on with it, steady as you go. If you enjoy doing something, keep doing it.’

Pondering on the key to his success and longevity, William mused: ‘I suppose I always feel like I’m learning. You know, people ask me if the younger ones ask me for advice and I say no, they’re all so good and confident that I feel I should ask them.

‘I always feel I’m still growing up. I never feel grown up in life anyway. And then I’ve always got things to learn. Working with people like Chris Gascoyne and so many other members of the cast is so good. It’s such a privilege.’

Earlier this year, William was presented with the lifetime achievement accolade at the Entertainment Agents Awards.

‘It’s a huge honour to receive this award, and I am very grateful for it. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful career, and to have spent so many years working on such a special programme like Coronation Street has been magical’, he told the Champions Speakers Agency.

Reaffirming his commitment to stay with the show, he added: ‘I’ve been fortunate to work with some absolutely incredible actors over that period and made a lifetime of memories. I’m looking forward to being in the programme for many more years to come.’

Coronation Street stalwarts

In his nearly 65 years on the cobbles, Ken has faced love, loss, death, blood feuds and acts as the patriarch to one of the most dramatic clans in all of soap land.

Though previously married twice, Ken’s union with Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride) became legendary and as the duo navigated a love triangle with Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs) and numerous affairs on each side, fans fell in love with the long-suffering couple.

Rita’s also had her fair share of drama over her 61 year stretch, with turbulent relationships of her own, while being a business mainstay as the manager of ‘The Kabin’ newsagents.

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