horrified as soap legend Rita Tanner discovers she has a brain tumour
She’s one of the longest standing characters on the cobbles, having first stepped on set in 1964.
And now viewers of Coronation Street were left in tears as it was revealed that soap favourite Rita Tanner had a brain tumour on Monday night’s episode.
The tear-jerking storyline comes weeks after the nation’s favourite newsagent was becoming noticeably confused in recent weeks, leading many to believe she was showing early signs of dementia.
Upset: Viewers of Coronation Street were left in tears as it was revealed that soap favourite Rita Tanner had a brain tumour on Monday night’s episode
Recently, Rita – who is played by Barbara Knox, 84 – was rushed to hospital after she fell at her foster daughter Jenny Bradley’s hen party on Friday night.
After a number of tests, the Weatherfield legend was then given the news that her MRI scan showed a ‘single lesion’ on her brain alongside a panicked Jenny and Jonny.
The doctor said: ‘We found a single lesion on your brain – a tumour. Mrs Tanner I think your symptoms including lapses in memory are almost certainly down to the tumour which is putting pressure on the front section of your brain.
Expressing her relief that it wasn’t dementia, she answer: ‘Save the tears until there’s something to cry for.’
Showing signs: The tear-jerking storyline comes weeks after the nation’s favourite newsagent was becoming noticeably confused in recent weeks, leading many to believe she was showing early signs of dementia (Pictured with her pal Bobby Norris)
The shocking storyline has left viewers ‘heartbroken’ as they took to Twitter in their droves to share their upset at the upsetting storyline.
One fan shared: ‘Rita’s story on Corrie is the most heartbreaking thing ever.’
‘I absolutely cannot cope with this Rita storyline,’ another wrote. ‘”Save the tears til there’s something to cry for” oh Rita, don’t.’
A viewer posted: ‘Rita is breaking my heart.’
‘Heartbroken’: The shocking storyline has left viewers ‘heartbroken’ as they took to Twitter in their droves to share their upset at the upsetting storyline
While leaving fans of the long-running soap emotional, it has has been revealed that charity Brain Tumour Research has been consulting with show producers and scriptwriters over the storyline since earlier this year.
Speaking about the storyline, Barbara – who has played Rita for over 50 years – admitted she’s happy that they have taken a sensitive approach to the diagnosis.
She said: ‘I was immediately determined to ensure that we got every aspect of the portrayal of such a devastating illness correct.
‘The work the team did with Brain Tumour Research has been invaluable. As an actress playing the role I am mindful that there are people going through this in real life and it is vital that we do their stories justice.
Sensitive: Speaking about the storyline, Barbara – who has played Rita for over 50 years – admitted she’s happy that they have taken a sensitive approach to the diagnosis
Adding: ‘There is a long way to go yet in this storyline for Rita; as we follow her journey from the devastating diagnosis and how she comes to terms with the uncertainty of what the future holds for her, she has some big decisions to make in the coming weeks.
‘Until I started working on this storyline I had no idea that a brain tumour could cause someone to act in the way Rita has been.
Before continuing: ‘It can’t just be me who has been surprised by how it affected Rita, so clearly not enough is known about brain tumours and their symptoms. It is a frightening disease and my thoughts are with everyone affected by a brain tumour.’
Some 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK each year – for more information visit Brain Tumour Research.
