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Vera dies in dramatic Corrie exit Vera's Corrie exit seen by 12.5m
(30 minutes later)
Veteran Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth has made her final appearance in the long-running soap opera. Veteran Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth has bowed out of the ITV soap opera, with her exit watched by an estimated 12.5 million people.
Vera, who has been played by actress Liz Dawn since 1974, died in an armchair as husband Jack had a pint in the Rovers Return. One of the best-loved characters in the show, Vera died in an armchair as her husband Jack was in the Rovers Return.
Actress Liz Dawn, 68, who played Vera since 1971, is retiring because she suffers from chronic lung disease.
Some 12.5 million viewers watched between 1945-2000 GMT, according to unofficial overnight figures.
Three different death scenes had been written, with the final end filmed under tight security.Three different death scenes had been written, with the final end filmed under tight security.
Dawn, 68, is retiring because she suffers from chronic lung disease.
'Wonderful woman''Wonderful woman'
She said: "I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much. Dawn said: "I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much.
"It was very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it was the right decision for the character.""It was very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it was the right decision for the character."
Vera's best friend was Ivy Tilsley Vera's best friend was Ivy TilsleyActor Bill Tarmey, who has played her husband Jack for almost 30 years, called Dawn a "wonderful woman".
Actor Bill Tarmey, who has played her husband Jack for almost 30 years, called Dawn a "wonderful woman".
"We have never had a cross word. She only left a few weeks ago but I already miss walking on set and seeing her there and I miss working with her.""We have never had a cross word. She only left a few weeks ago but I already miss walking on set and seeing her there and I miss working with her."
Together, the pair became one of the most enduring soap opera partnerships, which ended with Jack tearfully watching funeral directors taking away Vera's body.Together, the pair became one of the most enduring soap opera partnerships, which ended with Jack tearfully watching funeral directors taking away Vera's body.
Vera's early years in Coronation Street revolved around work at the factory with friends including Ivy Tilsley.Vera's early years in Coronation Street revolved around work at the factory with friends including Ivy Tilsley.
While her marriage to Jack was often stormy, her only son Terry caused her no end of heartache, culminating in his sale of her grandson Tommy.While her marriage to Jack was often stormy, her only son Terry caused her no end of heartache, culminating in his sale of her grandson Tommy.
Her high point came when the Duckworths temporarily took charge of the Rovers pub.Her high point came when the Duckworths temporarily took charge of the Rovers pub.