Shayne Ward and Kym Marsh lead tributes to Corrie's Liz Dawn who played Vera Duckworth
Tributes are flooding in for actress Liz Dawn, who played Coronation Street’s beloved Vera Duckworth.
The soap star depicted Vera on the ITV drama for 34 years and passed away on Monday after a long battle with emphysema.
Her Coronation Street familypaid tribute and said they are “heartbroken” by the news, adding: “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.”
And Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fizz on the soap, said on Loose Women today: “She was very funny; she was incredibly funny to work with. I was a ‘Coronation Street’ fan as a little girl, but I was a fan of ‘Coronation Street’ because I was a fan of Vera Duckworth and Jack. I really was. So to get onto that set and be greeted by that woman was incredible. The pair of them together were dynamite
Just heard the terrible news of our lovely Liz Dawns passing. I'm so sad. What a wonderful lady. She will be so missed. Love to her family x
— Kym Marsh (@msm4rsh) September 26, 2017
Very sad to hear about the passing of Liz Dawn… a joy to write for and a lovely friend. Sending condolences to her family. God Bless Liz x
— Daran Little (@DaranLittle) September 26, 2017
RIP Liz Dawn
— Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) September 26, 2017
“I very quickly realised, and anyone will tell you about Liz, she had no idea about her own talents. She was so humble and actually when you got onto the set, she’d ask you how you were, how you’d been, what you’ve been up to and then you’d do the scene second. She was really interested in who you were and then we’d do the scene. This idea of her being a legend, everybody in the country totally agrees with. She did not think that.”
People are also imagining Liz reunited with Vera’s on-screen husband Jack Duckworth, played by Bill Tarmey, who died in 2012.
Shutters are closed & blinds drawn at The Old Rectory on Coronation St. Jack is reunited with his Little Swamp Duck. RIP Liz Dawn #vera pic.twitter.com/VvNxVr04ry
— Sarah Inman and dog (@KiteySarah) September 26, 2017
It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned our beloved Liz Dawn has passed away last night. https://t.co/zzdgWu2EIU pic.twitter.com/w3fQuGRArb
— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) September 26, 2017
Hell of a reunion going on. RIP our Vera. pic.twitter.com/4NYScnDuC9
— Dee Cee 64 (@deecee1964) September 26, 2017
Jack and Vera reunited R I P #Corrie #LizDawn pic.twitter.com/CFS11EXtaM
— Raj Lyall (@lyallr) September 26, 2017
She came to judge the egg-rolling competition when I was at The Mount primary school in Wakefield circa 1977. RIP Vera. https://t.co/hUs1S9tKac
— Richard Bentley (@RicardoDaLepp) September 26, 2017
Loving all the archive pics of Vera Duckworth, esp this one from 1995. Proof that bar a haircut, Gail Platt hasn't changed in 22 years pic.twitter.com/4kebMtV6ot
— Karen Morrison (@karenmorrison1) September 26, 2017
Coronation Street’s executive producer, Kieran Roberts, said in a statement: “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.”
Born Sylvia Butterfield, the actress was best known by her professional name Elizabeth or Liz Dawn.
Liz first appeared on ‘Corrie’ in 1974 and her partnership with Bill was a huge hit with fans for years.
Although her character was killed off in 2000, dying peacefully in her sleep, she made a brief reappearance as a vision to Jack as he passed away in a moving scene which saw them share one last dance.
She was awarded an MBE in the 2000 birthday honours.
Liz was fitted with a pacemaker in 2013, and had been housebound for several weeks prior to her passing, and used a wheelchair. In June, she missed the wedding of her grandson, Thomas Borso, to Alice Coughlin in Italy after having surgery related to a heart condition.
Liz is survived by her husband Donald Ibberston and four children.
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