Ta-ra Chuck! Vera Exits Corrie

Ta-ra chuck! Vera Duckworth took her final Coronation Street bow in a tear-jerking storyline. Her departure was filmed in secret and viewers had no idea how she died. In the end, it was quietly.

Actress Liz Dawn has left the soap due to ill health. The veteran actress played Vera for more than thirty years. A lifelong smoker, she was diagnosed with lung disease emphysema over five years ago. Micheal Le Vell, who plays Kevin Webster, said: "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."

Liz Dawn's absence leaves a gaping hole in Corrie that will be hard to fill. The Duckworths were the natural successors to Coronation Street's legendary pairing of Stan and Hilda Ogden. Both couples were used to great comic effect, but there were plenty of tears over the years too. Enjoy a trip down memory lane in our gallery below.

• Should Corrie have killed off Vera? How do you feel about her exit? Discuss your views on the Talk Telly message board.