Coronation Street Vera to be killed off
Vera Duckworth will be killed off in a tear-jerking episode of Coronation Street to be shown early next year, ITV revealed today.
One of the best-loved characters in British TV soaps, Vera has become a Corrie institution over the last 33 years.
But actress Liz Dawn, who has played the tough-as-old-boots character for all of that time, has been forced to leave the show because of ill-health.
Rather than leave Vera in limbo, Street producers have decided she should go out in true soap fashion with a heart-rending finale.
Liz, a lifelong smoker, was diagnosed with lung disease emphysema five years ago. Only a third of her lungs is still working and she takes a daily cocktail of medication, plus three inhalers.
She quit smoking after being diagnosed in 2002.
But the 68-year-old actress revealed the disease had taken such a toll that she nearly collapsed while at Buckingham Palace to collect her MBE in 2000.
Her departure will be filmed in top secret and viewers will not know how she dies until they watch her final episode.
Producers are so keen to keep her character's cause of death under wraps that three alternative endings have been written.
Newspapers and magazines have also been asked not to leak any details of what happens to Vera.
The decision to kill off the character was taken after long consultation between producer Steve Frost, executive producer Kieran Roberts and the actress herself.
They all felt it was better to have a dramatic finale rather than compromise the characters of Vera and her husband Jack by having Dawn come back for occasional guest appearances in the future.
Liz Dawn said: "It is going to be very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it is the right decision for the character.
"Steve Frost and Kieran Roberts were very respectful about how I would feel about Vera dying and we talked about it at length before we made the final decision.
"I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much."
Steve Frost said: "After discussions with Liz Dawn we have settled on a heart-breaking exit story which will see Vera leave Coronation Street in 2008.
"Liz's contribution to Coronation Street has been quite remarkable.
"She has played Vera, one of the most loved characters on British television, for 33 years and she will be missed enormously, by everyone who works with her on the show and by millions and millions of viewers.
"It has been a great privilege to work with Liz and I wish her a very happy and very well-deserved retirement."