Rita to retire from Kabin

‘Coronation Street’s Rita Sullivan is to retire from the Kabin.

The shopkeeper – who started managing the ITV soap’s legendary newsagent in 1973 – will decide to quit after re-evaluating her life following the death of Ramsey Clegg.

A source said: “It’s a massive change for the face of ‘Coronation Street’. Rita has been selling cigarettes, organising papers and gossiping with customers for decades. She is one of the soap’s biggest characters.”

Rita (Barbara Knox, 75) decides to tell her friends Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) and Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) at Ramsey’s wake.

She will say to them: “His death made me think about why I’m working at the shop when I don’t need to be. I’m fed up of working, I’m going to retire. I know I’ve said it before but this time I mean it and I won’t be changing my mind.”

It is unclear who will take over at the shop, but the plot could include a battle for between Norris and Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) who both currently work shifts there.

A source explained: “The character of Tina works well, and bosses are keen to make her a central player.”

It was announced yesterday that ‘Coronation Street’ stalwart Jack Duckworth (Bill Tarmey) is to move away from the street, but will still appear in the show.