As Dennis Tanner prepares to propose to Rita Sullivan, Corrie superfan Glenda Young takes a look back at the love life of Rita, the red-hot, red-haired siren of the Street.
You can also see a gallery of classic scenes and characters in our special Rita picture story.
Harry Bates
The first of Rita’s fellas we ever saw on Corrie was Harry Bates. Rita was living with Harry and his son Terry back in 1972. Her relationship with Harry ended due to his violent temper.
Benny Lewis
Rita got engaged to bookie Benny Lewis in 1973. Benny also ran The Capricorn Club where Rita used to sing. It was a short engagement which ended amicably and Benny let Rita keep her engagement ring.
Jimmy Graham
Rita had a fling with property developer Jimmy Graham in 1974 and he tried to lure her away to live down South. But Jimmy’s plans were foiled during a romantic meal when his wife and two kids turned up!
Ken Barlow
Is there anyone who hasn’t been out with Ken Barlow? Rita once had a fling with Ken and they even spent the night together.
Len Fairclough
Rita married Len Fairclough in 1977 and they were wed until the day he died in a car crash in 1983. Rita was devastated to discover he’d been having an affair.
Tony Cunliffe
Rita dated police sergeant Tony Cunliffe in 1984. He was the first man that Rita went out with after husband Len was killed.
Alf Roberts
Rita and Alf would have made a lovely couple but Rita turned Alf’s proposal of marriage down, not once, but twice. Alf was drunk when he proposed the first time in 1985 and when he tried again in 1990 he told Rita he’d even leave Audrey for her.
Alan Bradley
Alan was a nasty piece of work. He tried to kill Rita after she reported him to the police for fraudulently remortgaging her house. After his court case for attempted murder, he was found not guilty and walked free. He began stalking Rita and she escaped to Blackpool where Alan tracked her down and in one of Corrie’s most iconic scenes, Alan was hit and killed by a Blackpool tram.
Ted Sullivan
Rita married her second husband, Ted Sullivan in 1992 after a whirlwind romance. Shortly before their marriage, Ted confessed he was dying of a brain tumour. Their marriage lasted only three months before he died in her lap on a park bench.
Fred Elliot
A serial proposer and one to repeat himself, Fred Elliot asked Rita to marry him in 1996. He’d also asked Audrey Roberts and Doreen Heavey before Bev Unwin said yes to 'I say Fred'. Rita had a lucky escape as Fred dropped dead on his wedding day to Bev.
Alec Gilroy
Alec, as we know, married Bet Lynch but before that back in 1998 he proposed to Rita, and she said yes. Fortunately, she had the good sense to change her mind and their relationship ended several months later when Rita realised she couldn’t trust Alec and his smarmy ways.
Anthony Stephens
Rita accepted another proposal of marriage in 2000, from bookseller Anthony Stephens. However, he was still married to his wife who had Alzheimer’s Disease. When his wife died, Anthony asked Rita to move to New Zealand with him but she let him go alone.
Archie Shuttleworth
When funeral director Archie turned up on the Street in 2006, both Rita and Audrey were vying for his attention. Rita had a brief fling with Archie but it never got serious.
Norris Cole
In 2007, Rita’s friend and business partner Norris proposed and she turned him down flat. Well, wouldn’t you?
Colin Grimshaw
Colin was Eileen’s dad who turned up on the Street in 2008. He proposed to Rita and she accepted and the two of them were engaged the following year. But Rita soon called off the engagement when she found out he’d abused Eileen's friend when they were schoolgirls. Colin died suddenly a month later.
Lewis Archer
In 2010 Rita was charmed by Audrey’s gigolo Lewis who swept her off her feet with his charm. But Audrey discovered that Rita has been using Lewis' services and the two women had a blazing row
Dennis Tanner
And now Rita’s old friend Dennis Tanner is set to be her third husband. Will it be third time lucky and happy ever after? And just what will Norris say?!