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Shayne Ward and Kym Marsh lead tributes to Corrie's Liz Dawn who played Vera Duckworth

Tributes are flooding in for actress Liz Dawn, who played Coronation Street’s beloved Vera Duckworth.

The soap star depicted Vera on the ITV drama for 34 years and passed away on Monday after a long battle with emphysema.

Liz as Vera, joined Coronation Street in 1974 (REX)
Liz as Vera, joined Coronation Street in 1974 (REX)

Her Coronation Street familypaid tribute and said they are “heartbroken” by the news, adding: “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.”

And Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fizz on the soap, said on Loose Women today: “She was very funny; she was incredibly funny to work with. I was a ‘Coronation Street’ fan as a little girl, but I was a fan of ‘Coronation Street’ because I was a fan of Vera Duckworth and Jack. I really was. So to get onto that set and be greeted by that woman was incredible. The pair of them together were dynamite

“I very quickly realised, and anyone will tell you about Liz, she had no idea about her own talents. She was so humble and actually when you got onto the set, she’d ask you how you were, how you’d been, what you’ve been up to and then you’d do the scene second. She was really interested in who you were and then we’d do the scene. This idea of her being a legend, everybody in the country totally agrees with. She did not think that.”

People are also imagining Liz reunited with Vera’s on-screen husband Jack Duckworth, played by Bill Tarmey, who died in 2012.

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.

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

Born Sylvia Butterfield, the actress was best known by her professional name Elizabeth or Liz Dawn.

‘Coronation Street’ fans are mourning the loss of Liz Dawn, after she died at the age of 77 on Monday (25 September) night.
‘Coronation Street’ fans are mourning the loss of Liz Dawn, after she died at the age of 77 on Monday (25 September) night.

Liz first appeared on ‘Corrie’ in 1974 and her partnership with Bill was a huge hit with fans for years.

Although her character was killed off in 2000, dying peacefully in her sleep, she made a brief reappearance as a vision to Jack as he passed away in a moving scene which saw them share one last dance.

Vera in Corrie over the years (REX)
Vera in Corrie over the years (REX)
Vera in Corrie over the years (REX)
Vera in Corrie over the years (REX)
Vera in Corrie over the years (REX)
Vera in Corrie over the years (REX)

She was awarded an MBE in the 2000 birthday honours.

Liz was fitted with a pacemaker in 2013, and had been housebound for several weeks prior to her passing, and used a wheelchair. In June, she missed the wedding of her grandson, Thomas Borso, to Alice Coughlin in Italy after having surgery related to a heart condition.

Liz is survived by her husband Donald Ibberston and four children.

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