The end for Corrie's Jack

Emotional scenes as he passes away peacefully...

10:25 09 November 2010

Veteran Corrie star Bill Tarmey bowed out of the soap last night in an emotional last episode.

The actor, who has played Jack Duckworth for over 30 years, died peacefully in the same armchair that his wife Vera also passed away in almost three years ago.

As he drifted in and out of consciousness, Vera 'appeared' at his side, telling him "put down your paper and come with me".

The couple then had one final dance to Matt Monro's Softly As I Leave You.

Soon after, Molly, Tyrone and Connie returned to the house from the Rovers Return, where they were celebrating Jack's 74th birthday, to find him dead in his chair.

After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Jack came back to Weatherfield to live out his final days and spent them helping local residents through acts of kindness.

Tarmey originally planned to leave the show over a year ago but was persuaded to stay so he could be part of the show's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Coronation Street's executive producer, Kieran Roberts, said: "'Bill Tarmey and Jack Duckworth have been a huge part of Coronation Street for 30 years and, like his many millions of fans, everyone who works on the show with Bill were sad to see him go."