The fact is - all long-term cast members have contracts that stipulate a number of appearences in the length of their contract - usuallly twelve months. This means that story-lines revolve around different characters at all times. If you analyse it, you'll find that all characters are absent for varying amounts of time as stories evolve - it's the way all soap contracts work. It has the double bonus of variable stories, and allowing actors to go off and do other things if they wish.
Yep, Like Rita she's been off on her cruise for a few weeks soon she'll be back and a new storyline will evolve. Don't forget Blanch it will be her funeral soon. And the Becky baby thing, plus Joe trying to commit suicide in the Lakes
All coming in a front room near you.....