‘Coronation Street’ stars bid farewell to Tarmey

Stars of Coronation Street gathered yesterday to pay their respects to Bill Tarmey, who played the soap’s Jack Duckworth for three decades.

The actor became one of TV’s most recognisable faces as the long-suffering husband to battleaxe Vera, played by Liz Dawn.

Their endearing on- screen partnership was one of the most popular in soap history and gave the show some of its funniest and most memorable moments.

The Manchester-born Tarmey died at his holiday home in Tenerife on Nov 9, aged 71. The former builder dreamed of becoming a singing star and was eking out a living as a crooner in working men’s clubs before joining Coronation Street in 1977 as an extra.

Tarmey landed the role of Jack Duckworth two years later and, despite his modesty about his acting ability, a Street legend was born, to the extent that he did not leave the show until 31 years later.

About 700 people packed into the Albion United Reformed Church in Ashton-under-Lyne for his funeral service, joining his wife of 50 years, Ali, and the couple’s two children, Carl and Sara, to say a final goodbye.

Among the mourners were Dawn, who left the soap in 2008 through ill health, Nigel Pivaro, who played Tarmey’s on-screen son Terry, and Alan Halsall, whose character, Tyrone Dobbs, looked up to Jack as a father figure.

Other Street stars in attendance included William Roache who plays Ken Barlow, Julie Goodyear who starred as Bet Lynch, and Roy Barraclough who played Alec Gilroy.

The service was relayed on loudspeakers for several hundred fans of the show who gathered outside.

Eulogies were given by Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor, and Pivaro.

Ghadie said: “He was genuinely one of the most decent and honourable men you could ever wish to meet.

“Jack and Vera were a truly unforgettable and formidable partnership, and I doubt we’ll ever see that again.

“On behalf of everyone who works at Coronation Street and has worked on the programme during its 52 years, and the loyal viewers who have followed the programme throughout these years — Bill, we salute you.”

Personal photographs of Tarmey were shown on screen to the congregation in a moment of reflection as his rendition of ‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’ — which he sang on This Is Your Life in 1992 — was played. As the coffin was carried out into the aisle, applause broke out.

A private committal followed the ceremony.

In the order of service, the family asked for donations to Brain Tumour Research.

Tarmey’s son, Carl, has been battling a brain tumour.