Tear-jerker finale for soap legend Vera

A DEVASTATED Jack Duckworth stares in disbelief as Vera’s body is taken away by funeral directors.

Hours before, the couple were looking forward to starting a new life in Blackpool. Now, Jack must face the rest of his life without his partner of more than 50 years. That was the tear-jerker finale to last night’s Coronation Street double bill, where the Street bid farewell to Vera after 33 years.

Vera, played by Liz Dawn, and Jack, played by Bill Tarmey, had been planning the final details of their retirement — until tragedy strikes.

Millions of TV fans tuned in for the final appearance of Vera — a stalwart of the Street who appeared in more than 3,000 episodes.

Liz has played the brassy, loud-mouthed battle-axe since joining the soap in 1974 — but the actress, a lifelong smoker, disclosed last summer she is crippled with the lung disease emphysema. The actress, awarded an MBE in 2000, now wants to spend time with her husband, Don, her four children and to “enjoy life while I can”.

Bill, who has played Jack Duckworth for 29 years, paid tribute to his onscreen partner. He said: “Liz is a wonderful woman. I have worked with her for 29 years and we have never had a cross word. During that time I have probably seen more of her than her husband Don did!

“She was a joy to work with and one of the funniest people I know — yet she doesn’t know how funny she is. She only left a few weeks ago but already I miss walking on set and seeing her there, I miss working with her — we all do.

“But we wish her all the love in the world and want her to enjoy her retirement. She deserves it.”

Corrie producers wrote three different endings so as not to spoil the final moments for viewers but ultimately, Vera died in her sleep from heart failure.

Liz said: “It was very emotional filming Vera’s death scenes but I do think it is the right decision for the character.

“Producers Steve Frost and Kieran Roberts were very respectful about how I would feel about Vera dying and we talked about it at length before we made the final decision.

“I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much,” she said.