‘Coronation Street’ News & Live Episode: Will Barbara Knox Make It to the Special Broadcast? Show Gets New Producer

Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Sullivan, one of the longest-running characters of "Coronation Street" since 1964, is in good form and will be joining the soap's special live episode tonight at 7:30 p.m.

BBC News reported that according to assistant producer Ella Kelly, they had spoken to the 81-year-old actress and she is taking part in the soap's 60th anniversary live broadcast.

Mirror on Monday reported that Knox was forced to miss a very crucial rehearsals for the upcoming live episode of the soap after she falls ill. Know arrived in the set but was reportedly unable to participate in the plot with Tina O'Brien and Sean Ward. As a result, a stand-in had to substitute for the actress during last Sunday's run-through.

Another actor, Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) was earlier forced to take a three-month break to recover from illness, according to Express.co.uk, and it's no information yet as to when the pub landlord will return.

The cast and crew reportedly have been working hard with the rehearsals to ensure that the show will be smooth and perfect. Mirror said that some stars complained that the rehearsals run very late in the night. Nonetheless, they've been posting pictures on their Instagram page as they count down to the big day. And today, they posted a short video showing the full cast. The caption reads, "Today's the day - #CorrieLive is on at 7.30pm! Here's the full cast all ready to go..."

"Coronation Street" is Britain's longest-running soap. It debuted on ITV in 1960. The last time the show went into a live episode was in 2010 when it celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Meanwhile, Mirror also reported that producer Stuart Blackburn will be replaced by Kate Oates to "revive Corrie's fortunes." Blackburn assured the cast and crew that he was not being sacked but that it was "the right time to leave." Oates takes over as the soap's new producer come January 2016.