Coronation Street's Rita Tanner will meet her death after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Barbara Knox as Rita Tanner
The iconic character - played by Barbara Knox - is reportedly set to exit the ITV soap after 53 years when a storyline, thought to be beginning in October, sees her suffering ill health.
A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "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. All the indications are that this will end tragically."
It comes after the show's boss Kate Oates revealed Alison King will return to the ITV show later this year as tough-talking businesswoman Carla Connor.
Kate explained: "Ever since I got here, it's been rumoured that Carla's coming back. But it was never true. Even the latest indications of it. Ali has only just signed her contract and she'll be back around Christmas. It's time to break new ground with Carla. I didn't want to put her on that familiar cycle of self-destruction, recovery, followed by more self-destruction ... What we'll have instead are these two strong Connor women - Carla and Michelle - on opposing sides and in conflict for a change. It'll be a refreshing dynamic for us to see."
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