About Us ThisisBigBrother.com

Scarlett. · 22-12-2007, 05:16 PM

Coronation Street will make soap history in January when one of its best loved characters, Vera Duckworth, dies after 34 years on our screens, signalling the end of a Corrie era.

Hailed as a one of the most popular characters the Street has ever seen, viewers have followed Vera’s colourful life on the cobbles since 1974. From humble beginnings on Mike Baldwin’s factory floor, to the check-out at Bettabuy, the landlady of the Rovers and waitress at Roy’s Rolls, we’ve shared the highs and the lows with the loveable battleaxe.

Vera and Jack have brought us hours of entertainment over the past three decades, as Vera’s constant nagging of her layabout husband made them one of television’s funniest couples. Vera was always desperate to show Jack she loved him, but spent most of her married life feeling exasperated with his harebrained schemes, betting habits, magnetic attraction to the pub and his love of his pigeons. In spite of all this, Jack was Vera’s rock and she knew that whatever happened, she’d always be his “little swamp-duck”.

Vera’s life wasn’t without its fair share of heartbreak – she suffered years of anguish at the hands of her wayward criminal son Terry. Unlike Jack, Vera kept hoping that he’d turn over a new leaf but after years of bitter disappointment she was finally forced to admit that Jack was right - their son was a heartless good for nothing. With lodgers Curly and then Tyrone, Vera found the caring sons she’d always wanted and became a second mum to them.

When her beloved grandson Paul Clayton arrived back on the street this year and appeared to be everything Terry wasn’t, Vera was over the moon. Although Paul proved to be as scheming as his father when he took a loan out in their name, Jack protected Vera from discovering the truth and endeavoured to make her dream come true when he bought their home in Blackpool.

Although her claim to be related to Queen Elizabeth II isn’t valid, there’s no doubt that Vera Duckworth will always be remembered as soap royalty. The exact details of Vera’s final scenes will not be disclosed, but one thing’s certain – there won’t be a dry eye in the house as we say a final “ta-ra chuck” to Vera.

The decision to kill off the Vera was taken after long consultation between Coronation Street producer Steve Frost, executive producer Kieran Roberts and Liz Dawn herself. Liz has said: “It is going to be very emotional filming Vera’s death scenes but I do think it is the right decision for the character. Steve Frost and Kieran Roberts were very respectful about how I would feel about Vera dying and we talked about it at length before we made the final decision. I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much.”

Cast members are equally devastated about Liz’s departure and have paid their own moving tributes to Liz Dawn below:

“It’s been absolutely fantastic spending the best part of ten years with Liz. She’s such an icon on screen and such a loving, caring person off screen. She’s been fantastic to me, she took me under her wing when I joined as a younger member of cast and she looked after me so much. She’ll be sorely missed by all the cast, not only for her laughter but for all the love she gives everyone. I’m sure she’ll be missed by all the fans of Coronation Street.” – Alan Halsall

“Liz Dawn is such a very very special person and Coronation Street will never be the same again because Jack and Vera were such treasures. Liz Dawn as a person – you couldn’t wish to meet a more generous and happy-go-lucky person. She’s just one of those people who lights up your day and makes you feel you’re a million dollars. I’ll never forget when my dad was really ill about ten years ago and I brought him round the Street, Liz knew he was ill and she made such a fuss of him and he never stopped talking about Liz Dawn until the day he died. She’s a very special person and she’ll be sadly missed by all the cast members. Especially us older ones who’ve been with her for such a long time, we’re going to really miss her being around.” – Sally Whittaker

“On screen and off Liz and Vera will be terribly missed, I’ve been here since 79 and she’s always been there so I really am going to miss her. Throughout the years so many people have tried to impersonate Vera but none of them can beat the real thing because at the end of the day she’s best – her Vera is the true one and the only one. When you see her as Vera she’s so authentic and so true and the real Liz is just so glamorous and statuesque. I just wish her good health and I’m really going to miss her greatly.” – Sue Nicholls

“Liz has been like my surrogate mother, so it’s a big blow for me. I’ve known Liz now for nearly 25 years and she has been such a wonderful person to know. I’m going to miss her so much I can’t even tell you. I wish her all the best and hope sitting back and putting her feet up for a while will help her get over her illness – and that’s all I can wish for.” – Michael Le Vell