Bill Tarmey, Coronation Street star, dies aged 71

Bill Tarmey, Coronation Street star, dies aged 71

Actor Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth in ITV soap Coronation Street, has died.

Tarmey, 71, left the soap in 2010, after more than 30 years on the show. His family confirmed to ITV that he died in Tenerife on Friday morning, asking for "privacy as they grieve for a wonderful husband, father and brother".

A statement from Coronation Street said the cast, crew and production team were "devastated" to learn of his death. It continued: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's wife and soulmate Ali and their family at this very sad time."

A life-long heavy smoker, Tarmey suffered a minor heart attack following a bypass operation in 2002. He left Coronation Street to care for his son Carl, who was battling a life-threatening brain tumour. He told ITV Granada, earlier this year: "If this hadn't happened they would've had to drag me out of there screaming. It was a wonderful bloody job, especially for an old coffin-dodger".

The actor was reunited with on screen wife Vera, played by Liz Dawn, for his emotional finale from the soap. She had left the show two years before when Vera died in the same armchair as Jack, but Jack's final scenes showed her appearing at his side and saw the pair dancing together, as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

Coronation Street cast members have been paying tribute on Twitter, with Antony Cotton who plays Sean Tully, writing: "Goodnight Bill Tarmey. You were the best. We'll miss you so much x"

Charlie Condou, who plays Marcus Dent, said: "I am devastated to hear that the wonderful Bill Tarmey has died. He was a beautiful, funny and lovely man, and he will be missed by us all."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20270904