Corrie’s Rita and Jack plan to bow out

CORONATION Street stalwarts Barbara Knox and Bill Tarmey are cutting down their hours on the ITV soap.

Former Oldham Coliseum star Barbara, who plays Rita Sullivan, will retire from the Kabin after 36 years in charge, while Bill, also known as Jack Duckworth, will move from his famous blue and yellow stone clad home.

The changes will allow the pair to cut down the number of hours they have to work without causing too many problems for scriptwriters.

Rita will break the news of her retirement to close friends Emily Bishop and Norris Cole at the funeral of Ramsey Clegg, played by Andrew Sachs.