Kate Oates takes on dementia ? Again ?

[Ome]

There are worrying times ahead for Coronation Street stalwart Rita Sullivan when she starts to experience concerning lapses in her memory and begins to fear that something is seriously wrong – could these be the first symptoms of dementia?

After Rita struggles to remember what she had for breakfast, she is alarmed but masks her fear when she is talking to her friend Gemma Winter, who doesn’t notice that anything is amiss.

However, as Rita continues to dwell on the concerning moment and fears that more will follow, is she needlessly worrying or will there be ore signs to come that signify that she needs to go to a doctor?

Rita has a strong support network on the street who would of course be devastated if anything were seriously wrong with their good friend so let’s just hope that Rita was having a bad day and there isn’t more to her memory lapse.

Kate Oates, who now oversees Coronation Street, is known for setting off the acclaimed dementia storyline in Emmerdale that affected Ashley Thomas, played by John Middleton who has since won mountains of awards for his sensitive and realistic portrayal of the devastating condition.

 

[Canon]

After Rita struggles to remember what she had for breakfast.

 

[Ome]

 

[Englishboy]

It's been reported in one of the tabloids that this storyline will culminate in Rita leaving the cobbles despite actress, Barbara Knox having apparently been told in 2009 by Corrie top brass that she had a job for life on the show.

 

[Mo Mouse]

As long as she doesn't forget her way to the pub, the Old Soak will be fine. Hic.

 

[Ome]

Rita leaving the cobbles

I hope this isn't true. I've been watching her since the 70s

 

[Ashley Cotton]

It's been reported in one of the tabloids that this storyline will culminate in Rita leaving the cobbles despite actress, Barbara Knox having apparently been told in 2009 by Corrie top brass that she had a job for life on the show.

Have you got a source?

 

[Englishboy]

Have you got a source?

It was in the daily star.

 

[JROG]

I really, really hope it's not dementia. We've just had that, in a major way, by the same producer and I'm tired of older, legendary characters being disposed of via such illness. It's ageist and it's basically done so they can be written out (because that's always what it leads to) without causing too much of an uproar. Ugh. I'm hoping it's some bad reaction to medication or she's a drunk or whatever. Rita's presence is comforting, a link to the glorious past, and as far as we know, the actress is still capable and willing. I still miss Emily. I really don't want to see Rita end that way and off the show.

 

[Ome]

I really, really hope it's not dementia. We've just had that, in a major way, by the same producer and I'm tired of older, legendary characters being disposed of via such illness. It's ageist and it's basically done so they can be written out (because that's always what it leads to) without causing too much of an uproar. Ugh. I'm hoping it's some bad reaction to medication or she's a drunk or whatever. Rita's presence is comforting, a link to the glorious past, and as far as we know, the actress is still capable and willing. I still miss Emily. I really don't want to see Rita end that way and off the show.

 

[Mo Mouse]

Again ? I can't remember another dementia storyline.

 

[James from London]

But in a way, dementia is ageist and unfair and even boring. Also, there are as many ways to tell a story about dementia as there are people who get it. Plus it isn't going away anytime soon so it's still pertinent. (That said, I haven't seen either the Emmerdale or Corrie storylines so I don't necessarily know what I'm talking about.)

 

[Carrie Fairchild]

I'm hoping it's some bad reaction to medication or she's a drunk or whatever.

The whole mystery illness thing was done before with Rita when she was worried she might have cancer in the 90's but it turned out to be carbon monoxide poisoning from her fireplace. So it'd be a bit of a rehash if she thought she was getting dementia but it was explained away with something less severe.

It'd be interesting if they went with the OAP alcoholic angle though. Where she doesn't realise she's knocking them back as much as she is or is in denial "But doesn't everyone have four G&T's for lunch Norris?".

 

[Ome]

It'd be interesting if they went with the OAP alcoholic angle though. Where she doesn't realise she's knocking them back as much as she is or is in denial "But doesn't everyone have four G&T's for lunch Norris?".

Now that is a much better way to tell this story and can be just as relevant and educational to some.

 

[Carrie Fairchild]

Now that is a much better way to tell this story and can be just as relevant and educational to some.

The only problem is, it might be a bit too close to home for Barbara Knox after her drink driving charge a couple of years ago.

 

[Ome]

The only problem is, it might be a bit too close to home for Barbara Knox after her drink driving charge a couple of years ago.

True, but then it would be nice to think she's doing this because of her actions and how she has been in the real world.