PURE GOLD VALLEY

Corrie's Bill Tarmey dies aged 71

9 November 2012 Last updated at 15:25 GMT Tarmey first appeared on Coronation Street in 1979 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, and asked 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."

Along with his own ill health, he eventually left Coronation Street to help 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."

A life-long heavy smoker, Tarmey had suffered a severe heart attack at just 35 while singing on stage, and he had heart surgery to bypass clogged arteries at 45, having the operation redone 15 years later.

He had also suffered from sleep apnoea, a serious condition which resulted in him jolting awake several times a night after he had stopped breathing.

Tarmey was reunited with his nagging on-screen wife Vera, played by Liz Dawn, for his emotional finale from the soap.

The actress had left the show two years before because of her health, when Vera was seen dying in the same armchair as Jack.

However, Jack's final scenes showed her appearing at his side and saw the pair dancing together, as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

In real life he was married to his childhood sweetheart Alison for 50 years and they had two children.

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."

Kevin Kennedy, who played Curly in the soap, issued a statement through his agent, which said: "Kevin is absolutely devastated. He has known Bill since he was 15 and it is like losing a member of the family."

Tarmey had originally planned to leave Coronation Street a year earlier than he did, but was persuaded by producers and his wife to stay for the show's 50th anniversary.

In 2010, Tarmey published his autobiography, Jack Duckworth And Me, which charted his life from growing up in the slums of Manchester through to working as a singer in local nightclubs, before he landed a role on the Street in 1979.

He said: "I've loved sharing my life with Jack. I'm not sure whether he has liked sharing his with me, though!"

Former co-star Jean Alexander, who played long-time Coronation Street resident Hilda Ogden, said she was very fond of Tarmey and that he and Dawn were "a really good team".

"He certainly took to that part like a duck to water," she continued, as she recalled acting with him during his first scene in the soap's pub The Rovers.

"I was standing next to him on the set and we were just about to start this scene. He said 'Jean I've only ever done walk-ons. I'm terribly nervous, I'll forget what I've got to say.'

"I said 'No you won't Bill, just keep your mind still, open your mouth and the words will come out'. But he soon got over that.

"And the part was so suitable for him personally. He was the right sort of character and the right sort of person to play it. I'm very sorry he's gone."

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This post was written by: Franklin Manuel

Franklin Manuel is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Twitter