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by Lorna Cooper, TV Editor

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.

Liz Dawn pictured in 1985
Jack Duckworth (played by Bill Tarmey) and Vera Duckworth (played by Liz Dawn)
Nigel Pivaro as Terry Duckworth
Liz Dawn and Lynne Perrie
Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn pictured in 1989
Liz Dawn pictured in a comic scene
Julie Goodyear as Bet Lynch
Nigel Pivaro as Terry Duckworth alongside Liz Dawn
Jack (played by Bill Tarmey) marks his 50th wedding anniversary at The Rovers
Samia Ghadie and Liz Dawn
Vera (Liz Dawn) tricks husband Jack
Liz Dawn as Vera Duckworth
Liz Dawn shines as machinist Vera Duckworth
Liz Dawn has played Vera Duckworth for over 30 years
Liz Dawn with Bill Tarmey
Liz Dawn in Las Vegas
Liz Dawn outside the Rovers Return
Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn are Coronation Street legends
Liz Dawn enjoys a gamble
Liz Dawn and Bill Tarmey pictured in 2005
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