Liz Dawn has paid tribute to her former
'Coronation Street' co-star Bill Tarmey, who died yesterday and says she will miss him terribly as he was a "great man".
The 71-year-old actor - famed for his portrayal of Jack Duckworth on the
ITV1 soap for over 30 years - passed away in the Canary Islands on
Friday morning and Liz says she is devastated by the news and will miss
him greatly.
Liz - who played Bill's on-screen wife, Vera Duckworth, said: "Bill was
part of my family. When you work with someone for so long as we did it
becomes more than just work. Our families were close and I am devastated
for Ali (his wife) and his family.
"I am totally bereft. He will always be remembered by everyone he came
into contact with because he was such a kind and generous man. You
couldn't wish to meet a more lovely man and a true gentleman.
"He was a gentle giant and I will miss him so much."
Bill Roache - who plays Ken Barlow - also spoke of his sadness over
Bill's death and said the character of Jack Duckworth will always hold a
place in people's hearts.
He told The Sun newspaper: "Over the years 'Coronation Street' has
produced characters who are really powerful and legendary - Jack
Duckworth was one of those. He was the downtrodden loveable rogue who
never got anything right but was loved by everyone. This was down to
Bill Tarmey's incredible skills as an actor, he had amazing comic timing
and was a genuinely warm and wonderful human being."
Bill - who suffered a minor heart attack following a bypass operation in
2002 - left 'Coronation Street' in 2010 to care for his son Carl, who
was battling a life-threatening brain tumour.
As well as Carl, he and his wife Alma also had a daughter, Sara.
