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| Bill Tarmey, Coronation Street star, dies aged 71 | Bill Tarmey, Coronation Street star, dies aged 71 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Actor Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth in ITV soap Coronation Street, has died. | Actor Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth in ITV soap Coronation Street, has died. |
| Tarmey, 71, left the soap in 2010, after more than 30 years on the show. | Tarmey, 71, left the soap in 2010, after more than 30 years on the show. |
| His family confirmed to ITV that he died in Tenerife on Friday morning, and asked for "privacy as they grieve for a wonderful husband, father and brother". | His family confirmed to ITV that he died in Tenerife on Friday morning, and asked for "privacy as they grieve for a wonderful husband, father and brother". |
| His on-screen wife Liz Dawn, who played Vera Duckworth, said: "You couldn't wish to meet a more lovely man and a true gentleman." | |
| A statement from Coronation Street said the cast, crew and production team were "devastated" to learn of his death. | A statement from Coronation Street said the cast, crew and production team were "devastated" to learn of his death. |
| It continued: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's wife and soulmate Ali and their family at this very sad time." | It continued: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's wife and soulmate Ali and their family at this very sad time." |
| Along with his own ill health, he eventually left Coronation Street to help care for his son Carl, who was battling a life-threatening brain tumour. | Along with his own ill health, he eventually left Coronation Street to help care for his son Carl, who was battling a life-threatening brain tumour. |
| He told ITV Granada earlier this year: "If this hadn't happened they would've had to drag me out of there screaming. It was a wonderful bloody job, especially for an old coffin-dodger." | He told ITV Granada earlier this year: "If this hadn't happened they would've had to drag me out of there screaming. It was a wonderful bloody job, especially for an old coffin-dodger." |
| Emotional finale | |
| A life-long heavy smoker, Tarmey had suffered a severe heart attack at just 35 while singing on stage, and he had heart surgery to bypass clogged arteries at 45, having the operation redone 15 years later. | A life-long heavy smoker, Tarmey had suffered a severe heart attack at just 35 while singing on stage, and he had heart surgery to bypass clogged arteries at 45, having the operation redone 15 years later. |
| He had also suffered from sleep apnoea, a serious condition which resulted in him jolting awake several times a night after he had stopped breathing. | He had also suffered from sleep apnoea, a serious condition which resulted in him jolting awake several times a night after he had stopped breathing. |
| Tarmey was reunited with his nagging on-screen wife Vera, played by Liz Dawn, for his emotional finale from the soap. | Tarmey was reunited with his nagging on-screen wife Vera, played by Liz Dawn, for his emotional finale from the soap. |
| The actress had left the show two years before because of her health, when Vera was seen dying in the same armchair as Jack. | The actress had left the show two years before because of her health, when Vera was seen dying in the same armchair as Jack. |
| However, Jack's final scenes showed her appearing at his side and saw the pair dancing together, as he drifted in and out of consciousness. | However, Jack's final scenes showed her appearing at his side and saw the pair dancing together, as he drifted in and out of consciousness. |
| Liz Dawn 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 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." | |
| In real life he was married to his childhood sweetheart Alison for 50 years and they had two children. | In real life he was married to his childhood sweetheart Alison for 50 years and they had two children. |
| Kevin Kennedy, who played Curly in the soap, issued a statement through his agent, which said: "Kevin is absolutely devastated. He has known Bill since he was 15 and it is like losing a member of the family." | Kevin Kennedy, who played Curly in the soap, issued a statement through his agent, which said: "Kevin is absolutely devastated. He has known Bill since he was 15 and it is like losing a member of the family." |
| Tarmey had originally planned to leave Coronation Street a year earlier than he did, but was persuaded by producers and his wife to stay for the show's 50th anniversary. | Tarmey had originally planned to leave Coronation Street a year earlier than he did, but was persuaded by producers and his wife to stay for the show's 50th anniversary. |
| Vicky Entwistle, who played Janice Battersby in the soap, said Tarmey would be missed by everyone who worked with him. | |
| "He was just such a lovely man to have around. So warm and always full of fun. The character of Jack was such a jack the lad, there was that wonderful mischievous side to him. He was so well loved by everyone - just a beautiful kind man." | |
| She added that Tarmey often took the newer cast members under his wing. | |
| 'Duck to water' | |
| "He was just a real sounding board, if you had any problems with a scene or you needed a little bit of help, he would guide you. | |
| "When you first go into a show like that it's a real big adventure. He didn't judge, he would just be there if you needed any advice. | |
| "He was extremely talented. We all used to look up to him and learn from him and watch him because he made everything look so easy." | |
| In 2010, Tarmey published his autobiography, Jack Duckworth And Me, which charted his life from growing up in the slums of Manchester through to working as a singer in local nightclubs, before he landed a role on the Street in 1979. | In 2010, Tarmey published his autobiography, Jack Duckworth And Me, which charted his life from growing up in the slums of Manchester through to working as a singer in local nightclubs, before he landed a role on the Street in 1979. |
| He said: "I've loved sharing my life with Jack. I'm not sure whether he has liked sharing his with me, though!" | He said: "I've loved sharing my life with Jack. I'm not sure whether he has liked sharing his with me, though!" |
| Former co-star Jean Alexander, who played long-time Coronation Street resident Hilda Ogden, said she was very fond of Tarmey and that he and Dawn were "a really good team". | Former co-star Jean Alexander, who played long-time Coronation Street resident Hilda Ogden, said she was very fond of Tarmey and that he and Dawn were "a really good team". |
| "He certainly took to that part like a duck to water," she continued, as she recalled acting with him during his first scene in the soap's pub The Rovers. | "He certainly took to that part like a duck to water," she continued, as she recalled acting with him during his first scene in the soap's pub The Rovers. |
| "I was standing next to him on the set and we were just about to start this scene. He said 'Jean I've only ever done walk-ons. I'm terribly nervous, I'll forget what I've got to say.' | "I was standing next to him on the set and we were just about to start this scene. He said 'Jean I've only ever done walk-ons. I'm terribly nervous, I'll forget what I've got to say.' |
| "I said 'No you won't Bill, just keep your mind still, open your mouth and the words will come out'. But he soon got over that. | "I said 'No you won't Bill, just keep your mind still, open your mouth and the words will come out'. But he soon got over that. |
| "And the part was so suitable for him personally. He was the right sort of character and the right sort of person to play it. I'm very sorry he's gone." | "And the part was so suitable for him personally. He was the right sort of character and the right sort of person to play it. I'm very sorry he's gone." |