HORROR in Coronation Street as THIS cobbles favourite DIES off screen

(Image credit: ITV)

There's heartache in Coronation Street next week when news of a sad death reaches Weatherfield...

Coronation Street legend Rita Tanner will be left shocked next week when she receives the unexpected news that her estranged husband, Dennis Tanner, has died.

The sad news hits Rita hard and will kickstart a huge episode for Coronation Street as the soap airs its 10,oooth episode on Friday 7th February.

Rita Tanner in Coronation Street — Rita is stunned when she gets news of Dennis's death next week (Picture: ITV)

To celebrate its milestone birthday, Coronation Street will see a coach-full of cobbles residents taking a trip to Blackpool as Rita prepares to scatter Dennis's ashes, but of course the day trip isn't without incident.

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The official Coronation Street website has revealed today: "Rita is floored when she receives a parcel containing Dennis's ashes alongside a note requesting that she scatter them in Blackpool."

But not wanting to go alone, Rita confides in Ken Barlow about how she feels about the whole situation and he agrees to go with her for moral support.

Ken and Claudia Coronation Street — Ken is amongst the group who head to Blackpool for a day-trip (Picture: ITV)

However, it seems Rita and Ken aren't the only ones looking forward to getting some sea air, because soon a coach is booked and everyone's invited...

"Deciding that a trip to Blackpool would do everyone good, Jenny books a coach and invites lots of the other residents to join them. Will the trip go without a hitch?"

Of course this wouldn't be Coronation Street without some drama along the way, and some characters will find their lives changed by the time they get back home.

Rita in Coronation Street — Rita and Jenny will head to Blackpool next week to scatter Dennis's ashes (Picture: ITV)

Coronation Street's producer Iain MacLeod has revealed more: "10,000 episodes isn't bad for a programme which one newspaper said in 1960 was 'doomed from the outset'. I am first and foremost a massive fan of the show and I watched this landmark episode with absolute glee.

"It is uniquely Corrie. It's funny, poignant and characterful, and a glorious homage to the comedic charabanc trips of times past, packed with strong female characters and sparkling dialogue.

"It's a really great exhibition of Coronation Street's classic qualities as we start a new decade on the cobbles."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.