Corrie star out of intensive care

Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey was today allowed out of intensive care two days after a heart by-pass operation.

The 61-year-old actor, who plays Jack Duckworth, was expected to remain in the unit at Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle, Greater Manchester, for several days.

But a spokeswoman for Granada TV today said he had been making "good progress" since the operation and had today been taken out of intensive care.

She said: "He was expected to be in intensive care for at least three days after the operation.

"Everybody at Granada is thrilled that he is making such good progress."

The actor, a lifelong heavy smoker, who had a quadruple heart bypass 15 years ago, is expected to stay in hospital for at least 10 days.

He has been written out of the soap’s script while he recovers.