Rita Tanner is set to face a lonely Christmas on Coronation Street, but show boss Iain Macleod has reassured fans of her fate after a freak accident.
Viewers have been terrified the cobbles stalwart would meet her maker after reports she was set to be crushed by a Christmas tree.
Read more: Coronation Street favourite to return as Rita has accident?
In the coming weeks, Rita finds herself feeling vulnerable and alone, especially after lodger Paul Foreman moved out.
She believes she has no friends or family left on the cobbles and feels more and more isolated as surrogate daughters Jenny Connor and Gemma Winter are preoccupied with their own lives.
When Brian gives her job temporarily to Gail Platt, believing Rita to be going away, it’s the final straw.
With everyone close to Rita thinking she’s gone away for Christmas, she ends up home alone.
A freak accident with the tree then leaves her even more vulnerable and also her life in danger.
But fans fearing a Christmas death for Rita can breathe a sigh of relief as Iain confirmed she will survive the accident.
“Ultimately she will [survive] but it’s not a story really about her being in physical peril, it’s about an emotional story for her around Christmas,” he explained to ED! and other press.
“So she’ll be okay physically but it will have slightly more far-reaching consequences in terms of her perception of her own life and role in the world on Corontion Street the fictional place.
“That will play out in the first couple of months of next year culminating around February time.”
Read more: Coronation Street Robert appears to kill pregnant Vicky?
He continued to reiterate: “She will be physically okay, to reassure you, I’m not going to expect you to tune in on Christmas Day and watch Rita’s demise, that’s something I’d never do.
“It’s a really good story and Barbara [Knox], as is always the case, is so good and it’s subtle and poignant and funny in places.”
It’s a relief to know she won’t die, but let’s hope after she’s helped so many people on the Street, someone will now reach out to her.
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!