[Scarlett.]

The legendary Mrs Tanner is set to make a sensational return to Coronation Street – only this time she’ll be called Rita and not Elsie.

Rita Sullivan and Dennis Tanner’s romance is so strong that a well-placed source revealed: “Don’t rule out a summer wedding!”

In another twist, away from the cameras, the partnership between veteran star Barbara Knox and original cast member Philip Lowrie, who plays down-on-his-luck Dennis has blossomed into a “lovely” friendship.

Barbara, 78, is currently loving a rejuvenated role as twice married Rita and her character is set to get the Weatherfield tongues wagging by seriously considering getting engaged.

Boss Phil Collinson was publicly keen to get the flame-haired Kabin boss a new permanent love and now he is getting his wish from the writers.

A Corrie source said: “It is the talk of the cast that Rita finds herself falling in love with Dennis – and that she could actually become Mrs Tanner after all those years since Elsie was a fixture around the cobbles.

“Barbara, like Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie, is a legend and everyone thinks it would be a terrific move for Rita to get married again at this stage in her life.

“Who would give her away is the big question being asked at the moment – there is one name in the frame to walk her down the aisle or be with her at the registry office and if that materialises there wouldn’t be a dry eye up and down the country.”

Philip, 75, recently revealed he was keen to stick with the soap – voted best serial drama in the National Television Awards – for some time to come.

He said: “I’m having the best time of my life. I live in London, but now I work here in Manchester for a few days a week, so I have the best of both worlds.

“At my time of life, to have a job that I love so much and getting to play such an amazing part, is fantastic. I can’t believe my luck, to be quite frank with you.”

And of working with Barbara he added : “I've rarely worked with an actress as fabulous as Barbara. People say there’s no subtlety in soap, but that’s so untrue.

"We did a scene where Rita is hoping Dennis will say he loves her, but he can’t. What Barbara was able to convey with only her eyes was extraordinary.

"The emotion shone out of them. It was powerful stuff.”

Philip found himself in the Guinness Book of Records last year for being the person with the biggest gap between TV appearances in the same show. He appeared in the first episode in 1960 and left in 1968 before returning in 2011.

Pat Phoenix died aged 62 in 1986. She played Elsie from 1960 to 1973, returning in 1976 until 1984, two years before she died.

Mirror

[Kizzy]

im proper chuffed, i love her she is my fave character and a brill actress...hate ken though, get rid of him

[Visage]

This is just brilliant.