91-YEAR-OLD soap legend Barbara Knox made a rare public appearance - and performance - at Manchester Pride this weekend. Barbara took to the stage and performed in front of packed crowds on Sunday (August 25). Barbara is best known for starring on the popular soap Coronation Street as Rita Tanner, a role she has held for over 50 years.
The soap legend makes very few public appearances these days, but wanted to join in Manchester ’s Pride celebrations this weekend. And in a surprise turn of events, she even took a turn on the stage. In videos of the events, Barbara can be seen - and heard - belting out We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn.
READ MORE ON CORONATION STREET She performed the song alongside drag queen Belinda Scandal and was also accompanied by Your Manchester presenter Mark Llewellin. Barbara stood in the centre of the stage and held Belinda and Mark’s hands as she sang her heart out and moved her feet in step with the music. She was visibly emotional and overwhelmed as she was rewarded with huge cheers from everyone in the audience.
Belinda was thrilled to have Barbara join them on stage. Most read in Soaps “I’m still so moved by this today,” they wrote on X, formerly Twitter , after the performance. “A lady of 91 wanted to understand Manchester Pride.
So thanks to Mark Llewellin, we arranged the moment and minute this living legend realised she was a legend. “The most Shabba moment of my career, thanks.” Outside of her rare public appe.