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Beloved actor Liz Dawn, who played Vera Duckworth on long-running British soap opera “Coronation Street” for 34 years, has died at the age of 77. Her family released a statement saying that Dawn died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones, on Monday evening. “We are devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved […]...

Liz Dawn thinks the British TV industry owes a debt of gratitude to the late Tony Warren for bringing working-class people to our screens. The 'Coronation Street' actress, who played the iconic Vera Duckworth for 34 years, credits the soap's writer - who passed away on Tuesday (02.03.16) - for including ''ordinary'' people in the longest-running soap and paving the way for other soaps to follow. She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''We all owe him a great debt for putting ordinary working class people on TV. It sounds so normal now, but in 1960 it was almost unheard of, ground-breaking...

Liz Dawn thinks the British TV industry owes a debt of gratitude to the late Tony Warren for bringing working-class people to our screens. The 'Coronation Street' actress, who played the iconic Vera Duckworth for 34 years, credits the soap's writer - who passed away on Tuesday (02.03.16) - for including ''ordinary'' people in the longest-running soap and paving the way for other soaps to follow. She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''We all owe him a great debt for putting ordinary working class people on TV. It sounds so normal now, but in 1960 it was almost unheard of, ground-breaking...

Liz Dawn has had a ''career-long ambition'' to appear in 'Emmerdale'. The 76-year-old actress - who portrayed Vera Duckworth in rival soap 'Coronation Street' for over three decades - admits she's got the acting bug back after she had a cameo over Christmas in the long-running programme, which is based in Yorkshire. She said: ''It's been a career-long ambition of mine to appear in 'Emmerdale'. I am a Yorkshire girl after all. In a way it's so strange that I became famous in 'Coronation Street', which is Lancashire through and through. ''It's only a cameo but I would love to do more episodes...

Liz Dawn is to make a cameo appearance in 'Emmerdale'. The former 'Coronation Street' actress - who played Vera Duckworth in the much-loved soap for over thirty years - is set to appear in 'Emmerdale's hour long Christmas episode. She said: ''There's only one show I'd come out of retirement for and it's 'Emmerdale', particularly as I've celebrated my 76th birthday this week, so I wanted to mark the occasion.'' Liz will take on the role of Mrs. Winterbottom, a decidedly demanding guest staying at Eric Pollard's B&B. She added: ''I love my character. What a feisty lady she is! Giving them all a...

Anne Kirkbride was honoured with a memorial service on Saturday (30.05.15). Stars from 'Coronation Street' as well as friends and family attended the service at Manchester Cathedral to pay their respects to the late actress, who played Deirdre Barlow in the soap, following her death from cancer aged 60 back in January. The 600-strong congregation included famous faces from the ITV soap such as Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth), Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper), Helen Worth (Gail McIntyre) and Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor), with some of the longest-running screen stars speaking at the memorial. Beverley Callard - who plays Liz McDonald - cracked jokes about...

Alan Halsall can't imagine leaving 'Coronation Street'. The 32-year-old actor joined the soap as Tyrone Dobbs 17 years ago and still finds the show a ''challenge'' with every new storyline. Asked if he can see himself not being in 'Corrie', he said: ''I wouldn't like to think so. I am challenged there all the time. I had the brilliant domestic abuse storyline the other year.'' Alan has particularly fond memories of working with Elizabeth Dawn and the late Bill Tarmey - who played Vera and Jack Duckworth - but their improvisation skills meant he was occasionally edited out of scenes because they made...

Sarah-Louise Platt is coming back to 'Coronation Street' as a barmaid in the Rovers Return. Tina O'Brien is returning as the character after seven years away from Weatherfield and Sarah will be put behind the bar of the famous pub later this month. Sarah will take Eileen Grimshaw's job which will lead to ever more tensions between Eileen and Sarah's mother Gail McIntyre. The decision to get Sarah pulling pints means Tina will be at the heart of the show and will follow in the footsteps of such 'Corrie' legends as Julie ­Goodyear, Beverley Callard and Elizabeth Dawn. A source on the programme told...

Liz Dawn says the ''heart'' of 'Coronation Street' has been ''ripped out'' following the death of Anne Kirkbride. The former Corrie actress, who played Vera Duckworth on the ITV soap for 34 years, has spoken out following the news that Anne, 60 - who starred as Deirdre Barlow for over 40 years - passed away last night (19.01.15) after a short illness. She said: ''It's like the heart of the show has been ripped out because she was so well loved by the cast and crew and by the millions of viewers who watched it. ''She was so lovely and I feel so...

'Coronation Street' Liz Dawn is taking life one day at a time after being fitted with a pacemaker. The 74-year-old actress - who played Vera Duckworth for 34 years on the soap until 2008 - was diagnosed with emphysema in 2004 and had the device, which helps keep the heart beating regularly, fitted after collapsing on holiday in Spain last year. Speaking on 'The Jeremy Kyle Show', which airs today (12.06.14), Liz said: ''I take a lot of tablets. I just live every day and get on with it. At least I've had a warning, some people go out in the...

Michael Barrymore has said that he feels "some responsibility " after the death of Stuart Lubbock in March 2001.

Lubbock was found dead in Barrymore's swimming pool after attending a party at the entertainer's house in Roydon, Essex.

"I just froze, that was my very first thought," Barrymore told Jeremy Kyle: Celebrity Specials yesterday (June 9) of seeing Lubbock's body in his swimming pool.

"I ran back into the house to get help, and then the two boys started giving CPR, and then the ambulance was called for and that in turn calls the police, and I was stood… just in complete shock.

"The first thing I did wasn't run away, the first thing I did was run to get help."

He continued: "I'm in the middle of a case right now which we've been working on for three years for wrongful arrest against the Essex Police."

Asked about his 'trial by media' after the incident,...

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has opened up about her drug battles over the years in an emotional new interview.

Speaking to Jeremy Kyle, the 42-year-old spoke about how a cocaine overdose nearly stopped her heart.

She said: "I remember timing my heart because I knew it was going to stop. I remember my telephone was there [points] and I remember crawling on my hands and knees to pick up the phone and call, and then I woke up in hospital.

"I remember saying my prayers. I knew my heart was stopping."

Palmer-Tomkinson explained that her addiction led to her having a "psychosis" and becoming "devious and deceptive and deceitful".

She also admitted to getting "drunk" on the plane while travelling to a £35,000 rehab centre in Arizona.

The former socialite revealed that she has become a "recluse" in recent years, and still struggles with anxiety issues.

"I don't have any temptation to take drugs any more.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has opened up about her drug battles over the years in an emotional new interview.

Speaking to Jeremy Kyle, the 42-year-old spoke about how a cocaine overdose nearly stopped her heart.

She said: "I remember timing my heart because I knew it was going to stop. I remember my telephone was there [points] and I remember crawling on my hands and knees to pick up the phone and call, and then I woke up in hospital.

"I remember saying my prayers. I knew my heart was stopping."

Palmer-Tomkinson explained that her addiction led to her having a "psychosis" and becoming "devious and deceptive and deceitful".

She also admitted to getting "drunk" on the plane while travelling to a £35,000 rehab centre in Arizona.

The former socialite revealed that she has become a "recluse" in recent years, and still struggles with anxiety issues.

"I don't have any temptation to take drugs any more.

Michael Barrymore and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson are among the stars due to appear on The Jeremy Kyle Show.

Jeremy Kyle is to host a week of celebrity specials in June, in which he chats to five guests about a range of issues, including money, drugs and relationships.

Barrymore will appear on June 9, and will talk about his drug and drink addictions, the breakdown of his marriage and the party at his house which resulted in the death of Stuart Lubbock.

Palmer-Tomkinson will discuss her cocaine addiction and her reported relapse on June 10.

Tito Jackson, Coronation Street star Liz Dawn and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder will also appear on the show later in the month.

Each episode will be broadcast at 2pm on ITV.

The specials follow previous one-off celebrity editions, including Alex Reid, Jodie Marsh and Leslie Grantham.

Liz Dawn's heart attack was the ''shock of her life''. The former 'Coronation Street' star was taken into hospital on Monday (29.04.13) after suffering a cardiac arrest on holiday in Spain nine days ago, and she is currently being looked after at home by her husband Donald Ibbertson. The actress - who spent 34 years playing Vera Duckworth on the soap - retired from the show in 2008 and has emphysema, an incurable lung disease. A source revealed: ''Liz's health has been very poorly for a while now. When she was on holiday she had a couple of particularly bad days. Her breathing...

Liz Dawn's heart attack was the ''shock of her life''. The former 'Coronation Street' star was taken into hospital on Monday (29.04.13) after suffering a cardiac arrest on holiday in Spain nine days ago, and she is currently being looked after at home by her husband Donald Ibbertson. The actress - who spent 34 years playing Vera Duckworth on the soap - retired from the show in 2008 and has emphysema, an incurable lung disease. A source revealed: ''Liz's health has been very poorly for a while now. When she was on holiday she had a couple of particularly bad days. Her breathing...

'Coronation Street' stars have given their support to Liz Dawn after her heart attack. The soap legend - who played Vera Duckworth for 34 years until 2008 - was taken into hospital on Monday (29.04.13). The 73-year-old retired actress quit the show because of emphysema, an incurable lung disease, and cast mates have voiced their support during this recent health scare. Former co-star Sally Lindsay said: ''Liz is the funniest person I've worked with. She was brilliant in 'Corrie' - we all love her and every cast member will be right behind her. ''She always came across as a battleaxe. but in truth, she...

'Coronation Street' stars have given their support to Liz Dawn after her heart attack. The soap legend - who played Vera Duckworth for 34 years until 2008 - was taken into hospital on Monday (29.04.13). The 73-year-old retired actress quit the show because of emphysema, an incurable lung disease, and cast mates have voiced their support during this recent health scare. Former co-star Sally Lindsay said: ''Liz is the funniest person I've worked with. She was brilliant in 'Corrie' - we all love her and every cast member will be right behind her. ''She always came across as a battleaxe. but in truth, she...

Jennie McAlpine is honoured her 'Coronation Street' relationship has been compared to Jack and Vera Duckworth. The flame-haired actress' alter-ego Fiz Stape has finally reinstated her relationship with Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) - who was recently wrongly accused of domestic abuse by his former fiancée Kirsty Soames (Natalie Gumede) - and Jennie finds it ''amazing'' fans have warmed to them so much, noticing similarities between the former Weatherfield couple. She said: ''That is such a huge compliment when people say that. Me and Alan learned out jobs watching Liz Dawn and Bill Tarmey, so to be compared to them is the biggest...

Jennie McAlpine is honoured her 'Coronation Street' relationship has been compared to Jack and Vera Duckworth. The flame-haired actress' alter-ego Fiz Stape has finally reinstated her relationship with Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) - who was recently wrongly accused of domestic abuse by his former fiancée Kirsty Soames (Natalie Gumede) - and Jennie finds it ''amazing'' fans have warmed to them so much, noticing similarities between the former Weatherfield couple. She said: ''That is such a huge compliment when people say that. Me and Alan learned out jobs watching Liz Dawn and Bill Tarmey, so to be compared to them is the biggest...

Coronation Street's Liz Dawn has been told by doctors there is ''nothing more they can do'' for her. The TV legend - who played Vera Duckworth in the show - was forced to quit due to her emphysema in 2008 and only a third of her lungs still work, leaving her health in critical condition. She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''If it wasn't for the doctors, I wouldn't be here today. But my health is very bad these days. ''The doctors have told me there is nothing more they can do. There are no new drugs I can take -...

Coronation Street's Liz Dawn has been told by doctors there is ''nothing more they can do'' for her. The TV legend - who played Vera Duckworth in the show - was forced to quit due to her emphysema in 2008 and only a third of her lungs still work, leaving her health in critical condition. She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''If it wasn't for the doctors, I wouldn't be here today. But my health is very bad these days. ''The doctors have told me there is nothing more they can do. There are no new drugs I can take -...

Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn has opened up over her ongoing health issues, urging the public to combat potential lung problems with early checks. The actress, who played Weatherfield's Vera Duckworth between 1974 and 2008, has struggled with the lung disease emphysema in recent years. Dawn, 73, now uses a wheelchair to get around and was recently informed that only one third of her lungs still work. In an interview with The Mirror, Dawn explained: "I have only made one plan for 2013. To make sure I am alive this time next year." Describing her health as "very bad these days", she continued: "I have only got a third of my lungs now... and I do get so breathless. I can't walk for more than a few steps without needing my chair so I just go everywhere in it now. "I worry about going out. I need to know where I am going. Will...

Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn has spoken for the first time of her grief following the death of co-star Bill Tarmey. The pair played beloved characters Jack and Vera Duckworth in the ITV soap for over three decades, but both left in recent years due to health problems. Tarmey passed away in November last year at the age of 71. "Bill was my best friend and I loved him dearly. I will never meet anybody so kind and generous. He had the heart of a lion and I miss him terribly," Dawn told the Sunday Mirror. "I am still in shock. I knew Bill wasn't well. We would talk on the phone most weeks and each time he rang it was something else. It would be his pacemaker or his breathing or his legs. "But he was so strong. He was like an ox and overcame so many issues with his...

Liz Dawn ''cried for days'' after the death of Bill Tarmey. The 73-year-old actress played the late actor's on-screen wife Vera Duckworth in ITV soap 'Coronation Street' for 30 years and formed such a special bond with Bill that she she feels she will never meet someone as ''kind'' and thoughtful as him. She explained in an interview with the Sunday Mirror newspaper: ''Bill was my best friend and I loved him dearly. I will never meet anybody so kind and generous. He had the heart of a lion and I miss him terribly. ''I cried and cried for days. I'd sit there...

Lorraine Kelly, Little Mix and Liz Dawn have filmed a special Coronation Street sketch for ITV1's Text Santa fundraising appeal. Benidorm actress Sheila Reid was also among the guests for A Christmas Corrie, based on Charles Dickens's classic tale A Christmas Carol. Reid and Daybreak host Kelly play police officers who are seen arresting show regular Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) in the mini-episode. Kelly commented: "I am absolutely beside myself. I am a massive fan of Corrie and have been since I was a little girl. "It's always been an ambition of mine to appear, even if it's just in the background of the Rovers (more)...

'Coronation Street's Bill Tarmey was laid to rest this afternoon (27.11.12). Many of the ITV soap's cast and crew turned out to see their colleague - who played Jack Duckworth for over 30 years until November 2010 - buried in his hometown of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. Bill had passed away at his holiday home in Tenerife on November 9, aged 71. Around 700 people gathered at the church for the burial, including his wife of 50 years, Ali, and the couple's two children, Carl and Sara. From the soap, mourners included Liz Dawn, who played Jack's on-screen wife Vera Duckworth and who was...

Liz Dawn has paid tribute to her former 'Coronation Street' co-star Bill Tarmey, who died yesterday (09.11.12). The 71-year-old actor - famed for his portrayal of Jack Duckworth on the ITV1 soap for over 30 years - passed away in the Canary Islands on Friday morning and Liz says she is devastated by the news and will miss him greatly. Liz - who played Bill's on-screen wife, Vera Duckworth, said: ''Bill was part of my family. When you work with someone for so long as we did it becomes more than just work. Our families were close and I am devastated for...

Coronation Street's Bill Tarmey, who passed away earlier today (November 9), has been praised by his former castmates Alan Halsall and Liz Dawn. Dawn played Vera Duckworth, the wife of Tarmey's Jack, on the soap, while Halsall's Tyrone Dobbs came to be like a son to Tarmey's character. This Is Jersey quotes Dawn as saying: "Bill was part of my family. When you work with someone for so long, as we did, it becomes more than just work. "Our families were close and I am devastated for [wife] Ali and his family. I am totally bereft. He will always be remembered by everyone he came into contact with because he was such a kind and generous man. You couldn't wish to meet a more lovely man and a true gentleman. He was a gentle giant and I will miss him so much."

Halsall told ITV Granada: "He was very close to me.

Actor Bill Tarmey, famous for playing Jack Duckworth on ITV Soap Coronation Street for three decades, has passed away aged 71.

He passed away in Tenerife this morning, a statement from the actors family read.

Another statement from the ITV soap read:

“The cast, crew and production team at Coronation Street are devastated to hear of Bill’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill’s wife and soulmate Ali and their family at this very sad time.”

Tarmey joined the Coronation Street cast on 28th November 1979, and endured a turbulent but long-lasting marriage with Vera Duckworth (Elizabeth Dawn) as well as a damaged relationship with his troublesome son Terry, who famously sold his son in a controversial storyline.

On 8th November 2010, Tarmey made his final appearance on the soap, having cut down on filming over the years due to ailing health issues. Jack died in his armchair (below) at his old Coronation Street house,...

Coronation Street legend Bill Tarmey, aka Jack Duckworth, has passed away at the age of 71. Below are some of the reactions from past and present Corrie cast members and crew, as well as other members of the soap world. Liz Dawn: "Bill was part of my family. When you work with someone for so long, as we did, it becomes more than just work. "Our families were close and I am devastated for [wife] Ali and his family. I am totally bereft. He will always be remembered by everyone he came into contact with because he was such a kind and generous man. You couldn't wish to meet a more lovely man and a true gentleman. He was a gentle giant and I will miss him so much." Alan Halsall: "He was very close to me... I worked with him here for many years. He was a wonderful man.

Liz Dawn has paid tribute to her former 'Coronation Street' co-star Bill Tarmey, who died yesterday (09.11.12). The 71-year-old actor - famed for his portrayal of Jack Duckworth on the ITV1 soap for over 30 years - passed away in the Canary Islands on Friday morning and Liz says she is devastated by the news and will miss him greatly. Liz - who played Bill's on-screen wife, Vera Duckworth, said: ''Bill was part of my family. When you work with someone for so long as we did it becomes more than just work. Our families were close and I am devastated for...

Coronation Street's Jack and Vera Duckworth are rumoured to be returning to the cobbles as ghosts. The couple are reportedly coming back from the dead to appear in a spoof segment for Children In Need. According to The Mirror, 71-year-old Bill Tarmey - who played Jack for 31 years before exiting the soap in 2010 - will play the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Christmas Carol-themed skit. Liz Dawn, 72, who left the Street in 2008 after playing Jack's wife for 25 years, is expected to return as a fellow spirit. (more)...

Sue Johnston has spoken about her first spell in Coronation Street in 1982. The Royle Family actress, who has rejoined the show as Gloria Price, originally played a lady referred to as Mrs Chadwick for a few months. Speaking about her original stint on the ITV soap, she admitted: "I remember it so clearly because I was terrified. "At the time, the characters were truly legendary and some of the actors were very intimidating. It really was true that if you sat in somebody else's seat in the green room, you'd get in trouble. "Thankfully, Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) took me under her wing and we've been close friends ever since. She was one of the first people I called when I knew I was going to be in the show and she was delighted." Recounting another meeting, the star went on: "One of (more)...

Former Coronation Street star Liz Dawn has admitted that she decided to leave the soap after suffering so badly from emphysema that she "thought [she] was dying". The actress departed the role of Vera Duckworth after 33 years in 2008 because she found herself becoming "stressed" on set and feared she was "letting people down". "My breathing was so bad I thought I was dying," What's on TV quotes her as saying. "I'd smoked for many years and I'd always had a bit of a cough and a splutter but I was getting worse and worse and I was struggling to breathe. "I was frightened of letting people down when I was filming. I would cry sometimes because (more)...

Liz Dawn was too ill to learn lines during her final years on 'Coronation 'Street' so used to tape scripts to props. The veteran actress - who quit the soap in 2008 after 34 years playing Vera Duckworth because of chronic lung condition obstructive pulmonary disease and - admits she took ''ridiculous'' measures to cover up the fact her illness had left her unprepared for scenes. She explained: ''I couldn't walk more than a few steps without sitting down and I was so tired I couldn't even learn my lines. ''I kept them hidden in the frying pan or on a plate of...

Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn reportedly surprised Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne by making a business suggestion to him at the British Soap Awards. According to the Daily Star, Dawn approached the entrepreneur backstage at the event in Manchester on Saturday night with an idea for his next money-making venture. A source told the newspaper: "Liz went straight over to him in the green room and said she had a new idea for a business. She said she wanted to invent a small fridge to keep her face cream cool. "There were a few sniggers because she was deadly serious. Duncan didn't quite know what to do so he just laughed, (more)...

Bill Tarmey has admitted that he struggled to stay still while filming his Coronation Street death scenes. The actor quit his role as Jack Duckworth after three decades in the Manchester serial. The much-loved character died after a short illness last November. The sad scenes also saw Liz Dawn reprise her role as Vera, as the popular couple were reunited. "I was so useless I couldn't stay still when I was supposed to be dead," Tarmey told The Mirror. "A stagehand had to tell me to stop tapping my toe to the music. Then another one had to tell me to stop tapping my fingers." ITV1 viewers will tonight see Tarmey honoured with two awards at the British Soap Awards. The (more)...

Liz Dawn has said that Coronation Street veteran William Roache should receive a knighthood for his services to the soap. Speaking to This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Mark Durden-Smith, the actress, who portrayed Vera Duckworth for 33 years until 2007, said that Roache had contributed a great deal to the soap's history. "He should be knighted, that man," Dawn said. "Fifty years in a popular show and all that work he's done over the years." Talking about her time on the cobbles, Dawn joked: "Jack and Vera got that popular we were asked to open shops and I (more)...

Liz Dawn has said that Coronation Street veteran William Roache should receive a knighthood for his services to the soap. Speaking to This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Mark Durden-Smith, the actress, who portrayed Vera Duckworth for 33 years until 2007, said that Roache had contributed a great deal to the soap's history. "He should be knighted, that man," Dawn said. "Fifty years in a popular show and all that work he's done over the years." Talking about her time on the cobbles, Dawn joked: "Jack and Vera got that popular we were asked to open shops and I (more)...

Soap fans have voted Blanche Hunt as their favourite Coronation Street character in the history of the soap. The acid-tongued matriarch, who was written out of the show earlier this year after the real-life death of actress Maggie Jones, was chosen by almost a third of the respondents in the Inside Soap poll. Hilda Ogden, played by Jean Alexander, came second, while Vera Duckworth, who was portrayed by Liz Dawn and recently made a brief cameo (more)...

Coronation Street's special documentary on Jack Duckworth appealed to over 7m on Wednesday evening, according to overnight data. Farewell Jack, featuring contributions from Bill Tarmey, Liz Dawn and Bill Roache, pulled in 7.02m (31.2%) for ITV1 at 7.30pm. Prior to that, Paddy and Rhona's kiss in Emmerdale was seen by 7.69m (35%), a rise of 200k on yesterday's outing. Meanwhile, the latest drama in Hollyoaks (more)...

Bill Tarmey has admitted that he is "chuffed" over the public's response to his final Coronation Street episode. On Monday night, viewers saw Tarmey's character Jack Duckworth reunited with his late wife Vera as he passed away peacefully at home. The emotional episode - which saw Liz Dawn reprise her role as Vera - was praised by fans and critics alike and attracted an audience of 11.6m to ITV1. Asked to sum up the viewer reaction in an interview with North West Tonight, Tarmey replied: "A surprise! The reaction has been wonderful and I'm rather chuffed and rather proud." Revealing what (more)...

Coronation Street's series producer Phil Collinson has explained why the soap decided to feature deceased character Vera Duckworth in her husband Jack's final episode. Earlier this week, 11.6m viewers watched as Vera appeared before Jack as the Weatherfield legend passed away peacefully at home. The special scene saw Liz Dawn reprise her popular role nearly three years on from Vera's own death scene. Speaking of Vera's reappearance on screen, Collinson is quoted by Pa as saying: "It's something I've heard a lot. People say, 'When my mother was dying she saw my father', or 'When my grandmother was dying she said (more)...

Bill Tarmey has admitted that it was sad watching his final appearance on Coronation Street. Over 11m viewers watched saw Jack Duckworth reunited with his wife Vera as he passed away last night. "I've never asked to be shown anything that I've done until it came out but I was given the chance to watch it and I did and I found it delightful," Tarmey told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Speaking about Liz Dawn's (more)...

Jack Duckworth's death on Coronation Street was seen by over 11.6m on Monday night, according to overnight data Bill Tarmey's final episode, which saw his character reunite with his deceased wife Vera (Liz Dawn) in a dream-like sequence, pulled in a colossal 11.64m (44%) from 8.30pm - easily the highest-rated episode since February 2009. Meanwhile, Jack's 74th birthday celebration in the Rovers managed an impressive 10.84m (44.5%) at 7.30pm. Prior to that, a Holly-centred instalment of Emmerdale picked up 8.26m (36.2%), its best since the winter months. EastEnders, which saw (more)...

Bill Tarmey's final episode as Coronation Street's Jack Duckworth has been praised by critics and viewers alike. Earlier tonight, the long-standing character died of a heart attack in the chair that his wife Vera passed away in nearly three years earlier. The poignant episode included a guest appearance by Tarmey's former co-star Liz Dawn, who played Vera's ghost in an emotional final scene which saw the pair dance to 'Softly As I Leave You'. Having seemingly joined Vera in heaven, Jack's foster son Tyrone (Alan Halsall) discovered Jack, becoming tearful before saying, 'Goodnight, dad'. The Guardian's Mark Lawson described the scene as achieving "a depth unmatched in other drama", (more)...

Coronation Street's Jack Duckworth dies with a smile on his face tonight (08.11.10) as he kisses the ghost of his late wife Vera. The legendary character passes away in his favourite armchair - the same place Vera (Liz Dawn) died two years ago - after losing his battle with cancer, and in a touching farewell scene the couple are reunited for a final kiss. In the emotional scene, Jack - who has been played by actor Bill Tarmey for 31 years - drifts in and out of consciousness as Vera appears in front of him, and starts nagging him about his scruffy appearance. ..

Coronation Street's Bill Tarmey accidentally set fire to his on-screen wife during their first scene. The 69-year-old actor - who has played Jack Duckworth in the ITV1 soap since 1979 - revealed the first time he met co-star Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth), he accidentally sent her up in flames while he was smoking a cigarette. He explained: ''Both of us were sucking on cigs, so I didn't spot the smoke at first, but then the smell of burning material just hit me. Without further ado, I hurled Liz to the ground and started slapping her backside to put out the flames. ''She was screaming ..

Jack Duckworth will die alone on his 74th birthday. The 'Coronation Street' veteran - who has been played by actor Bill Tarmey for more than 30 years - has been battling terminal cancer and will die at his home while sitting in the same chair his beloved wife Vera (Elizabeth Dawn) passed away in when she died in 2008. Executive producer of the ITV1 soap Phil Collinson said: ''I think Bill has just been astonishing. I think it's an amazing, beautiful, powerful story. It's the sort of story that you actually should tell. ''It's about a man facing up to death. That's ..