Liz Dawn dead at 77 – Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth passes away after long battle with emphysema
LEGENDARY Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn has died aged 77.
The star – who was a giant of the small screen in British front rooms for 34 years playing Vera Duckworth – passed away last night after a long battle with lung condition emphysema.
A statement from her family said: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, the incredible Liz Dawn.
“Liz died peacefully last night at home with her loving family around her.
“She has been the love, light and inspiration in our lives and we are bereft at her passing.”
While Liz was best known for her on-screen marriage to Jack Duckworth (played by the late Bill Tarmey) in real life she was married to her devoted husband Don and she had four children, Graham, Dawn, Ann and Julie.
A statement from Coronation Street: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned our beloved Liz Dawn has passed away last night. Her family at Coronation Street are heartbroken.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy at this very sad time to Liz’s devoted husband Don, her loving children Graham, Dawn, Ann and Julie, their families and her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
“We have been blessed to have Liz in our lives, as she was such a kind, considerate and caring friend and colleague.
“As Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth for 34 years, Liz brought so much joy and happiness to so many. She was a wonderful actress who will forever be a true Coronation Street legend.
On behalf of ITV and the programme Coronation Street’s Executive Producer, Kieran Roberts said: “Liz Dawn was a true Coronation Street legend, a brilliant actor and a wonderful person.
“Everyone lucky enough to have worked with Liz during her thirty-four years playing Corrie icon Vera Duckworth will remember her with huge affection.”
Corrie stars flocked to pay tribute to Liz and her incredible career.
Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor in the soap said: “Just heard the terrible news of our lovely Liz Dawn’s passing. I’m so sad. What a wonderful lady. She will be so missed. Love to her family.”
Anthony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully, added: “I’m devastated. Liz was a wonderful actress, a fascinating storyteller, a hilarious comedian and most importantly a brilliant friend.
“For many people of my generation, Jack and Vera WERE Coronation Street. I’m thinking about Don and all thier family who Liz adored.
“A light had gone out in Weatherfield a few years ago, but now Manchester too has lost a little bit of its sparkle.”
Beverley Callard, who played Liz McDonald alongside Vera, said: “Liz was a darling of a person and the created one of my favourite characters of all time.
“She was one of the kindest people I have ever met and my thoughts are with her wonderful family. She will be sorely missed.”
Audrey Roberts actress Sue Nichols also paid tribute, saying: “I feel so lucky that I was able to work with dear Liz. Two minutes in her company on screen and off was a total joy.
“Bless you dear Liz, love and condolences to Don and your lovely family.”
Helen Worth, who plays Gail Rodwell, added: “Vera was one of the greatest characters Coronation Street has known, to the cast Liz Dawn was the kindest and gentlest of ladies.
“She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.”
Michael Le Vell paid tribute to Liz and shared his condolences with her family, saying: “I feel for Don and Liz’s family at this very sad time. The nation are also going to feel this too.
“Liz and Bill were the foundations on which Coronation Street has been built upon. They had an amazing connection between them as Jack and Vera.
“For anyone young who joined the show Liz was the matriarch. She took us under her wing and was the mother figure who helped guide us through the show.
“She did that for me. She’s going to be a big loss for us all.”
Liz was in Coronation Street for 34 years – after first joining in 1974 – before quitting the cobbles through ill-health in 2008.
She became a charity campaigner in 2009, being named a Celebrity Ambassador for the British Lung Foundation to raise awareness of her disease.
Liz also worked tirelessly to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after being diagnosed with the condition herself.
TA-RA CHUCK Coronation Street’s cast lead emotional tributes to Liz Dawn as Vera Duckworth actress dies aged 77
As part of her role at the British Lung Foundation she piloted the Breathe Easy Week campaign to raise awareness of the reality of lung diseases.
She made a one-off return appearance as Vera in 2010 for the final scenes of her on-screen husband Jack Duckworth, played by Bill Tarmey.
The pair had become an iconic Corrie couple over the years, and fans across the nation wept as they saw them reunited one final time in 2010.
As he slipped away, Vera returned to wake him up and enjoy one last dance in their beloved house on Coronation Street.
Sadly Bill passed away soon after leaving the show and Liz later paid tribute to her on-screen husband.
“It was a funny relationship because I just used to hit him – in our scenes – I’ve hit him with everything but a brick! We had some funny times.”
Liz was delighted to receive a lifetime achievement award in 2008 for her years of dedication to Corrie to add to her gongs.
The actress also shared a best on-screen couple award with Bill at the 2001 British Soap Awards.
In 1997, Liz and Bill headed their own direct-to-video Coronation Street spin-off that saw Jack and Vera jet off to Las Vegas and mix with stars like Joan Collins.
While she was most famous for her imitable role as the legendary Mrs Vera Duckworth, Liz appeared on other things too – including Emmerdale as Mrs Winterbottom a demanding Christmas guest at Eric Pollard’s B&B.
She also appeared in the likes of Open All Hours, Crown Court, Z-Cars and as herself in friend Paul O’Grady’s quiz show Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank.
Liz had recently been restricted to a wheelchair and had been housebound for weeks before she was hospitalised.
In June she had surgery linked to a heart condition and had to miss the wedding in Italy of grandson Thomas Borso, 29, and Alice Coughlin — the 27-year-old niece of Corrie’s Debbie Rush.
At the time she said: “I’ve got no energy but once the operation is done I will be looking forward to being as back to my normal self and getting my energy back.”
In 2013 she had a pacemaker fitted after a heart attack while on holiday in Spain.
She admitted at the time: “My health is very bad these days.”
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