This major Coronation Street character could be leaving the soap!

WARNING - THIS STORY CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Coronation Street could be about to lose one of its most beloved characters.

Barbara Knox, who plays the iconic Rita Tanner, has revealed there is "uncertainty of what the future holds for her".

Rita, who first hit our screens back in 1964, has said an emotional farewell to the Street after she was given a heartbreaking diagnosis that she had a brain tumour.

As Rita headed to the hospital for life-saving treatment on the tumour, she was filmed walking down the famous cobbles sobbing while the theme song played her out.

Veteran actress Barbara, 84, said she worked very closely with scriptwriters and charity Brain Tumour Research to ensure the storyline was portrayed sensitively and accurately.

“I was immediately determined to ensure that we got every aspect of the portrayal of such a devastating illness correct,” she said.

“The work the team did with Brain Tumour Research has been invaluable. As an actress playing the role I am mindful that there are people going through this in real life and it is vital that we do their stories justice.

When it was first revealed Rita had a brain tumour the actress said: “There is a long way to go yet in this storyline for Rita; she has some big decisions to make in the coming weeks".

Coronation Street continues on Thursdays at 9.30pm, Fridays at 9.40pm and Saturdays at 9.25pm on TVNZ 1.