Coronation Street legend Barbara Knox made a surprise appearance at Manchester Pride this summer – and delivered quite a poignant message.
The iconic actress, 91, has become a household name with thanks to her Rita Tanner role in the ITV soap. Having first appeared in 1964, she became a regular in 1972.
During that time she’s also cemented herself as a gay icon, which was proved by the amazing turn-out to see her during Manchester’s annual Pride celebrations in August.
Barbara made a special appearance on the Alan Turing Stage alongside drag queen Belinda Scandal and Mark Llewellin, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
Mark was also the partner of the late Roy Barraclough, who played Barbara’s co-star Alec Gilroy.
The pair host Your Manchester, a weekly magazine show for the North West region that also provides media training for students.
The incredible moment, captured in multiple videos from fans, saw the duo present Barbara with the first ever Your Manchester icon award, before they burst into song with a rendition of Vera Llynn’s We’ll Meet Again.
Barbara, who was then aged 90, was primarily dressed in black, with her sequin black and gold jacket sparkling and shining bright.
Belinda meanwhile, held Barbara’s hand while wearing a fabulous pink-sequinned blazer.
After the song ended, Barbara had a solo moment in the spotlight as she became overwhelmed with emotion from the memorable moment.
‘Amazing’ Belinda said as the crowd continues applauding.
Indeed it was.
While on stage, Barbara also delivered an emotional message to the audience. She reveals she was regularly promised parts in the earlier years of her acting career, and was then given ‘one episode in a street’
‘I thought well, god, I’m here! Then I never heard from them for 10 years’, she says, explaining her first appearance in the soap saw her ‘convinced’ she had secured her big break.
’10 years later, I go back. And that’s just been a wonderful, wonderful journey. Let me tell you, it’s wonderful because of people like you. Absolutely the backbone of anything that the street has done. You are wonderful and Manchester is wonderful, what you’ve done here is amazing!
‘I’ve never been here before, but I’d like to come again. You know, it isn’t always like this, I’ve never been booed but I’ve lost my job, but whatever! It is so wonderful to see what you’ve all created and the warmth, the welcome, it’s wonderful you’ve got your own little bit of paradise I think. You have all done that, and that is amazing.’
She added: ‘I’ve learned about the charities you’ve done and every penny goes to the charities. That’s astonishing in this day and age. So well done you.’
What an icon.
