This morning's news is a shock to all of us who hold Rita dear in our hearts, and I nail my colours to the mast on this one. Rita has always been my favourite Coronation Street woman. She still is and even if it's true what I've read online today, she always will be.
So... deep breath.... The Sun today reports that Rita is going to be killed off.
Not with dementia, but with a brain tumour.
Now then, the only source to this story is Mr Curry Sauce himself who tells The Sun: “It has been suggested she might have dementia, but she does not. In fact, she will be diagnosed with a tumour and her doctors will say there is a serious risk she will die if they don’t remove it. But Rita is terrified that she could not know who she is, or recognise her friends."
Strangely, after reading the news this morning, I'm in shock - but not surprised, if that makes sense? Barbara Knox has played the role of Rita for more than 53 years on and off and I've loved every minute. If she's going to leave the show, I just wish she was going to live with Mavis in the Lake District rather than face such a horrific ending.
Sad news indeed, if the story is true... but sadly I fear it might be.
There has been no confirmation or otherwise from ITV on this yet but as soon as there is (if there is) we'll let you know.
Earlier this month, Producer Kate Oates told Radio Times that there was a story she was working on for 2018 which "scares her". I wondered at the time whether she could be considering killing off Rita. You can read my thoughts here.
And in the newly released Coronation Street promo video "Then, Now & Forever" there are iconic scenes and characters recreated from almost 57 years of the show's history... but Rita's not in there anywhere. I was concerned when I saw this and thought perhaps it was another indication that she was being written out of the show. I fear I may have been right.
Read more Corrie news, interviews, gossip and spoilers
Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook
Please read our advice for leaving comments on the Coronation Street Blog
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
