Coronation Street Liz Dawn Dies

Angela Channing

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Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn, who played Vera Duckworth in the soap for more than 30 years, has died.

Her family said they were "devastated" after the death of the "incredible" 77-year-old.

They added: "She has been the love, light and inspiration in our lives and we are bereft at her passing."

Dawn died at her home, surrounded by her family, on Monday night. ITV said everyone at Coronation Street was "heartbroken" at the news.

They said in a statement: "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."

Vera's stormy relationship with husband Jack, played by Bill Tarmey, provided on-screen drama and humour for years.

She played the role from 1974 until 2008, when an episode featuring Vera's death attracted more than 12 million viewers. She had been diagnosed with emphysema in 2004.

She returned to the street in 2010, when she played her own ghost in the episode in which Jack Duckworth died.

Corrie'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 34 years playing Corrie icon Vera Duckworth will remember her with huge affection."

Labour MP Tracy Brabin, a former Coronation Street actress, described Dawn as "amazing, warm-hearted, generous and hilarious".

Dawn was made an MBE in 2000 for services to charity, and commented: "What would our Jack say?"

She leaves four children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41397413
 
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Sarah

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Very sad news. Her and Jack were great together.
 

Sarah

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I'm sure there will be some sort of tribute to her - perhaps at the end of tomorrow's episodes?
 

Sarah

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It always amazes me - Twitter - like how well did Kym Marsh know Liz Dawn??
 

Ome

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like how well did Kym Marsh know Liz Dawn??
Marsh came into the show in 2006 and Liz left in 2008, so they will have known each other for that period and I guess it depends on how much Liz kept into with the cast after she left.
 

Mel O'Drama

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Liz Dawn obituary from The Guardian.

She once took a few lessons in how to make her voice “more posh” in case she wanted to go for other roles. But it was her unposh accent, together with her wild hair, which was one of the charms.
 

Barbara Fan

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Ive been out and just seen the news, so sorry to hear the news

She was one half of a great Corrie double act and was brilliant as vera Duckworth

The sad thing about Corrie now s there are no actors like them, or the Gilroys, barlows, Ogdens

Classic Corrie characters, strong women, nothern humour and wit and down to earth plots

Corrie is losing it for me and half of it is nonsense

I look fwds to ITV showing old episodes which made Corrie the show it was

There are very few on the street to carry the torch, glad that Carla is coming back, like Roy, Liz, Steve, Audrey, ken, Norris, Mary, Rita etc but its a shadow of its former self and in no way replicates the stars of the 80s and 90s who made it compulsive viewing

I just hope that ITV put together a tribute show of all the golden oldies and best Duckworth moments
 

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Liz Dawn was a true icon and will never ever be replaced, her contribution to Coronation Street is a truly fitting legacy to her talents.

Swami
 

Walford Boy

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Will we ever see a couple like Jack and Vera Duckworth in a soap again?

No. Watching the lovely tribute to Liz Dawn on the BBC News at Ten made me realise how good she and CS was and how poor it is now. It makes you realise what we are missing. Sad times.
 

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Ive been out and just seen the news, so sorry to hear the news

She was one half of a great Corrie double act and was brilliant as vera Duckworth

The sad thing about Corrie now s there are no actors like them, or the Gilroys, barlows, Ogdens

Classic Corrie characters, strong women, nothern humour and wit and down to earth plots

Corrie is losing it for me and half of it is nonsense

I look fwds to ITV showing old episodes which made Corrie the show it was

There are very few on the street to carry the torch, glad that Carla is coming back, like Roy, Liz, Steve, Audrey, ken, Norris, Mary, Rita etc but its a shadow of its former self and in no way replicates the stars of the 80s and 90s who made it compulsive viewing

I just hope that ITV put together a tribute show of all the golden oldies and best Duckworth moments

Sorry to beat my drum about this but it is clear that the acting quality is going downhill because of the addition of popstars to the cast. I'm not saying that Michelle or Aidan aren't able to act and can be convincing at times, but it is NOT the same as hiring genuine, experienced people and they just don't fit in the street and they're only interested in 'staying famous'.

It's kinda like Dallas *not that I am comparing Dallas to Coronation Street!!!* after James, Michelle and their ilk arrived - Corrie is now lacking grit and substance and I blame not only the addition of former pop idols but also the quality of writing. Corrie cannot pull off OTT storylines and lately I have (sadly) found myself shaking my head lately in despair.
 
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Ome

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also the quality of writing.
I don't necessarily think it's the writing. They've had some great stories in recent years with Hayley's cancer, Michelle & Steve losing the baby, Daniel hitting Ken, Bethany's grooming story, the Shona/David/Kylie story.

Corrie has always had dodgy stories, think back to anything involving Reg Holdsworth, or Curly and the woman frozen in Freschos. As brilliant as Jack Vera were they were in some really silly stories, the difference with Jack & Vera is that they could pull anything off and it worked, they had so much chemistry that it's hard to find many pairings today with that same brilliance.

The acting has never been that brilliant either, it's just that today it feels really exposed because of the other excellent drama out there.

But the biggest problem with Corrie as is the same with Emmerdale is how fast they are producing these episodes, there's no way they can keep everything on top when they're throwing 6 episodes a week out.
 

Sarah

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That's a good point - it is too much. Is it going to stay at 6 episodes a week? I only really started watching Corrie regularly a couple of years ago so don't remember the earlier storylines very well. I just feel that everything has gotten too 'shiny' and is more about people winning soap awards than it is about good quality drama. Someone like Roy Cropper could knock spots off some of the younger cast. Please God someone put Rosie out of her misery soon (and the rest of us).
 

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In addition to the stories mentioned by @Ome, I've also enjoyed Rita's brain tumour storyline and the Eva revenge plot.

Moira at the medical centre and her interactions with Liz make me laugh and entertains me no end.

Weak stories for me include the radio competition with Norris, Mary and Vic Reeves. Also, the whole mayoral storyline with Sally going head to head with Kirk in the political stakes - just really poor.

Having Peter and Toyah behind the bar at the Rovers also doesn't work for me - I'd much rather have Liz and Steve holding court at the famous pub.

The introduction of Gemma in the kebab shop (and by Rita's side) is another triumph. - she reminds me of a female version of Eddie Yeats now they've softened the edges to her and made her into a loveable rogue.

So, still lots to like.
 
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Sarah

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Having Peter and Toyah behind the bar at the Rovers also doesn't work for me - I'd much rather have Liz and Steve holding court at the famous pub.

Agreed!!! It isn't working, I can's see it staying this way for long.
 
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