Ta-rah chuck, you were  a great friend to resort

If she had not gone into show business, Liz Dawn who died on Monday, might have made a fabulous Blackpool landlady.
Liz at the unveiling of the Jack and Vera exhibition  in Blackpool Madame TussaudsLiz at the unveiling of the Jack and Vera exhibition  in Blackpool Madame Tussauds
Liz at the unveiling of the Jack and Vera exhibition in Blackpool Madame Tussauds

The actress, who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street for more than 30 years, was kind-hearted, down-to-earth, good fun and loved the resort.

All the attributes that are needed to run a holiday guesthouse.

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In fact her character Vera was all set to move to Blackpool with on-screen husband Jack when she died in her armchair in 2008.

Liz Dawns Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth featured in Blackpool Illuminations along with her husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) in 1996Liz Dawns Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth featured in Blackpool Illuminations along with her husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) in 1996
Liz Dawns Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth featured in Blackpool Illuminations along with her husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) in 1996

Now Liz too has passed on, at the age of 77 after a long battle with emphysema, the illness which led to her being written out of the soap.

She first appeared in Coronation Street in 1974 before her character moved into number nine along with husband Jack, played by the late Bill Tarmey.

They became one of the best loved couples in Corrie, and many of their storylines brought them to the Fylde coast.

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So it is fitting the pair have been immortalised in wax at the town’s Madame Tussauds.

Liz with actor David Ross as Lester Fonteyne in the Tunnel of LoveLiz with actor David Ross as Lester Fonteyne in the Tunnel of Love
Liz with actor David Ross as Lester Fonteyne in the Tunnel of Love

One of Liz’s last public appearances was when she visited Blackpool in March 2014 to unveil the waxwork figures of Vera and Jack at the Promenade attraction.

She told The Gazette at the time: “Blackpool is a one-off and I hope visitors will enjoy seeing the figures.

“When we were filming here with the Street, you would do your bit and you wouldn’t always have chance to look round.

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“But it has changed so much. My daughter came here two weeks ago with the children and she said, mother, it’s brilliant.”

With some of the cast in the resort for an away-from-the-cobbles storylineWith some of the cast in the resort for an away-from-the-cobbles storyline
With some of the cast in the resort for an away-from-the-cobbles storyline

She also recalled being among members of the Coronation Street cast who switched the Illuminations on in 1983, while in 1996 her face featured in the display.

Manager of Madame Tussauds Matthew Titherington says Liz was delighted she and Jack were being featured in the Rovers Return display, where at one time they had been landlords.

He said: “I remember her saying she loved Blackpool, filming in Blackpool and visiting here when she was younger.

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“She was so impressed with the figures and pleased they were together, and it brought back very strong memories for her.

Liz Dawns Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth featured in Blackpool Illuminations along with her husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) in 1996Liz Dawns Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth featured in Blackpool Illuminations along with her husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) in 1996
Liz Dawns Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth featured in Blackpool Illuminations along with her husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) in 1996

“When she saw her figure with Bill she lit up.

“The figures are among the most popular we have here.

“She was lovely with all the members of our team, speaking with them and laughing and joking.

“We are all sad to hear of her death but I think it is apt she has a permanent place here along with Bill.”

Her family said she died peacefully on Monday night at home “with her loving family around her.”

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In a statement they said they were “devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, the incredible Liz Dawn.

Liz with actor David Ross as Lester Fonteyne in the Tunnel of LoveLiz with actor David Ross as Lester Fonteyne in the Tunnel of Love
Liz with actor David Ross as Lester Fonteyne in the Tunnel of Love

“She has been the love, light and inspiration in our lives and we are bereft at her passing.”

Coronation Street said in a statement that “her family at Coronation Street are heartbroken”.

They added: “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.

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“We have been blessed to have Liz in our lives, as she was such a kind, considerate and caring friend and colleague.

“As Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth for 34 years, Liz brought so much joy and happiness to so many. She was a wonderful actress who will forever be a true Coronation Street legend.”

Born Sylvia Butterfield, the actress was awarded an MBE in the 2000 birthday honours.

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.

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“Everyone lucky enough to have worked with Liz during her 34 years playing Corrie icon Vera Duckworth will remember her with huge affection.”

Blackpool featured in a number of Liz Dawn’s storylines during her years as Vera.

In the 1990s her wayward on-screen son Terry sold his son Tommy to his in-laws, the Hortons, who lived in Blackpool, in a move which broke Vera’s heart.

In July 1994, while she was visiting Tommy in the resort, Vera bumped into an old flame, bingo caller Lester Fontayne.

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The pair were filmed in the Tunnel of Love at the Pleasure Beach.

Vera was back by the seaside in 2000 when she and Norris teamed up to dance at the Tower Ballroom.

It was Vera’s longstanding dream to move to Blackpool, but just as their hoped-for retirement was in reach, Vera died in her sleep.

The cast of Coronation Street have paid tribute to Liz Dawn following her death aged 77.

Sally Dynevor (who plays Sally Webster):

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“Liz was an amazing woman. She achieved so much in her life through her role in Coronation Street and her charity work. She was such a giving person who always thought about other people before herself. She was an inspiration of how to be in life and I’m going to miss her.”

Jennie McAlpine (who plays Fiz Brown):

“If ever there was an actress that I wanted to be like most, it would be Liz Dawn. Every time we met she asked after everyone. She was genuinely interested in how everyone was doing. I’ll miss her asking how I am. She was loved by us all.”

Simon Gregson (who plays Steve McDonald):

“Liz was a warm, very funny, lovely lady, who loved everyone she worked with, it was a huge honour to work with her but more so to know her as a friend. She touched the hearts of everyone she met and gave so much back with her charity work. She will be missed so much.

“Night god bless lovely liz xxxx”

Andrew Whyment (who plays Kirk Sutherland):

“Liz was a beautiful woman inside and out and a fantastic actress Vera will always be an iconic Coronation Street character RIP lovely lady x”

Sally Ann Matthews (who plays Jenny Bradley):

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“Liz was a wonderful actress and a fabulous lady. You always knew when she was in the building, she had a presence. When I bought my first home, Liz gave me some money to ‘buy something nice and stick it on the wall’. I bought a painting of The Lady of Shalott and think of her every time I look at it.

Helen Worth (who plays Gail Platt):

“Vera was one of the greatest characters Coronation Street has known, to the cast Liz Dawn was the kindest and gentlest of ladies. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Sue Nicholls (who plays Audrey Roberts):

“I feel so lucky that I was able to work with dear Liz. Two minutes in her company on screen and off was a total joy. Bless you dear Liz, love and condolences to Don and your lovely family.”

Samia Longchambon (who plays Maria Connor):

“I feel lucky that Liz has been in my life and to have called her a close friend. She has been a big part of my life for such a long time. She was one of the most funny, kind and genuine people I have ever known and I will miss her so much.”

Michael Le Vell (who plays Kevin Webster):

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“I feel for Don and Liz’s family at this very sad time. The nation are also going to feel this too. Liz and Bill were the foundations on which Coronation Street has been built upon. They had an amazing connection between them as Jack and Vera. For anyone young who joined the show Liz was the matriarch. She took us under her wing and was the mother figure who helped guide us through the show. She did that for me. She’s going to be a big loss to us all.”

Antony Cotton (who plays Sean Tully):

“I’m devastated. Liz was a wonderful actress, a fascinating storyteller, a hilarious comedian and most importantly a brilliant friend. For many people of my generation, Jack and Vera WERE Coronation Street. I’m thinking about Don and all their family who Liz adored. A light had gone out in Weatherfield a few years ago, but now Manchester too, has lost a little of its sparkle...”

Beverley Callard (who plays Liz McDonald):

“Liz was a darling of a person and created one of my favourite characters of all time. She was one of the kindest people I have ever met and my thoughts are with her wonderful family. She will be sorely missed.”

Barbara Knox (who plays Rita Sullivan):

“Liz has been sorely missed since she left Coronation Street. She was a joy to work with and we all enjoyed scenes with her. You always ended up laughing as she had marvellous comic timing. God bless her.”