Coronation Street's Rita Tanner will reflect on her life and "role on the street" in an "emotional" storyline this Christmas.
Barbara Knox
The Weatherfield stalwart - played by soap legend Barbara Knox - will be floored by her Christmas tree over the festive period, and none of her friends will check on her because they believe she has gone away for Christmas.
But the soap's boss Iain MacLeod has reassured potentially-concerned 'Corrie' fans that Rita will be "physically OK" after her ordeal.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz and other media, he said: "It's not a story that's mostly about her being in physical peril - it's an emotional story for her around Christmas.
"She'll be OK physically but it will have slightly more far-reaching consequences in terms of her perception of her own life, her role in the world and her role on the Street.
"That will play out over the first couple of months of next year, culminating around February time.
"She will be physically OK, just to reassure you. I'm not going to expect you to tune in on Christmas Day and watch Rita's demise.
"That's not something I would ever do."
Ian admitted Barbara - who first played Rita once in 1964, and then appeared in the role regularly from 1972 - "embraced" the storyline.
He added: "It's a really good story actually and Barbara Knox, as is always the case, if you give her something big to do she nails it.
"I'm not saying that with any hint of surprise in my voice, she's been doing it for decades."
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