Coronation Street will be celebrating a landmark anniversary on the 7th February when the 10,000th episode of the soap will air. However, it will not be a joyous occasion for all as Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) is set to be heart-broken as it is revealed that her estranged husband has passed away.
Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie) hasn’t been seen in the soap for a long time, but his death will leave Rita heart-broken. She will finally learn of his death during the episode when a parcel containing his ashes is delivered to her house. Rita will also come across a note in the package requesting that his ashes are scattered in Blackpool.
Coronation Street Spoilers: Rita Confides In Ken
The news will shock Rita, as she has been suffering through loneliness throughout the past couple of months. She will immediately seek help from one of her friends on the street, and heads round to number one to talk to Ken Barlow (William Roache) about the parcel.
Ken is shocked by the news, and agrees to go with Rita to scatter the ashes in Blackpool whenever she feels ready to do so. However, Jenny (Sally Ann Matthews) learns that he has passed away and immediately plans a group of people to go with Rita as emotional support.
Coronation Street Spoilers: Rita’s Coach Full Of Support
Rita is over the moon when she learns that Jenny has organised for a group of them to go to Blackpool for the day. The coach is full of residents from Coronation Street, including Amy, Audrey, Eileen, Carla, Emma, Ken, Mary, Nina, Tracy and Yasmeen.
It wouldn’t be a celebration of the soap unless the tensions began to rise throughout the day. Each character shares their memories of Dennis, and that leads to animosity. The decision for Dennis to lose his life in the episode was a special reason, as he appeared in the very first episode back in 1960. Fans will have to watch on, as the soap celebrates the landmark in true Corrie style.