Coronation Street fans have expressed their concern for soap stalwart Rita Tanner after she started showing signs of memory loss.
The character, who is played by Barbara Knox and who first appeared on the soap in 1964, seemed to think her husband Len was still alive and viewers launched an online campaign to #SaveRita.
Poor Rita – what's happening to her? 💔#Gemma #Corrie pic.twitter.com/WhQd5BaDrB
— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) August 30, 2017
One viewer wrote on Twitter: “A little lump in my throat watching #Corrie and the #Rita storyline starting. Please don’t kill off such a wonderful character. #SaveRita.”
A little lump in my throat watching #Corrie and the #Rita storyline starting. Please don't kill off such a wonderful character 🙁 #SaveRita
— Heather Rose (@heathrose92) August 30, 2017
Another wrote: “Unless Barbara Knox wants to retire, I will never ever ever forgive @itvcorrie if they are deliberately writing out Rita. #corrie #SaveRita.”
Unless Barbara Knox wants to retire, I will never ever ever forgive @itvcorrie if they are deliberately writing out Rita. #corrie #SaveRita
— Lewis Pringle (@lewispringle) August 30, 2017
A fan account for the soap tweeted: “From her first appearance in ’64 to the present day, Barbara Knox as Rita has ensured quality Coronation St. Make sure to #SaveRita.”
From her first appearance in '64 to the present day, Barbara Knox as Rita has ensured quality Coronation St. Make sure to #SaveRita #Corrie pic.twitter.com/Mow1kvrDJS
— Corrie Collection (@CStCollection) August 30, 2017
Others found the signs of her dementia very distressing, with one viewer writing: “the rita storyline is only starting and it’s breaking my heart already.”
the rita storyline is only starting and it's breaking my heart already💔 #corrie
— róisín (@holbyxbeauchamp) August 30, 2017
Another said: “I’m not sure I’m emotionally ready to deal with Rita being ill.”
I'm not sure I'm emotionally ready for Rita to be ill 💔 @itvcorrie @dolly_campbell #coronationstreet #corrie
— Michelle Marsh (@michellelmarsh) August 30, 2017
Coronation Street continues on ITV.