Leslie from Rochdale knows every character name (and the actor who played them) that’s ever been on Corrie

Coronation Street superfan Leslie Mustill was stunned to meet one of his idols when soap legend Barbara Knox arrived at the RHS Show at Tatton Park. Barbara, who plays Corrie icon Rita Sullivan, was keen to visit this year’s Kaleidoscope Ginnel Garden.

The garden, inspired by the ginnels sitting between terraces like those on Coronation Street, has been created in support of Rochdale’s Petrus Community. Leslie is a volunteer at Petrus, and was sitting on one of the “chatty benches” along the ginnel when Barbara came to visit.

Stunned to meet one of his soap idols, Leslie, 61, had a burning Corrie question for Barbara, 80, that is no doubt on the lips of many a soap fan.

For he was quick to ask Rita for some insider soap knowledge. He asked if young Corrie baddie Corey Brent “is back yet” – after rumours the murderer is about to make a dramatic return.

Barbara was playing her cards close to her chest though and said with a smile: “You’ll have to wait and see.”

Meeting Barbara was a dream come true for Leslie as he’s been watching the show for as long as he can remember. And he can lay claim to some ultimate soap superfan knowledge – being able to name EVERY character that has appeared in the show over the past 60 years, as well as the actor who played them.

Barbara, meanwhile, was excited to have a go at the kaleidoscope features in the Ginnel Garden. Volunteers gifted Barbara with one of the kaleidoscopes to take home to use in her own garden.

Gardening fan Barbara made her return to Tatton this year in bright sunshine after last year’s magical moment at The RHS Show when she met up with her old Corrie friend Thelma Barlow, who played Rita’s sidekick Mavis. She was filming part of her 80th birthday special which aired on ITV in celebration of her milestone birthday last year.

The soap icon said she was delighted to be back at Tatton this year on such a sunny day. She raised a glass to the opening of the show on Wednesday as she enjoyed the floral exhibits with friends.

The Ginnel Garden has been designed with a rainbow of plants by Rachael Bennion alongside service users and volunteers at the Petrus homeless charity in Rochdale.

It includes the “chatty benches” designed to help communities forge new friendships. Stained glass and timber panels along the run were co-created with students at Fallinge