Perdita
15-07-2009, 06:14
CORRIE legend Jack Duckworth is moving out of Weatherfield - but bosses have reassured fans he will not be leaving the show.
Actor Bill Tarmey, 68 - who has played Jack for 30 years - is cutting back on acting after health problems.
Viewers will see pigeon-fancier Jack move out of the house he shared with late wife Vera (Liz Dawn) - and into the plush digs of millionaire new love Connie Rathbone (Rita May) in the fictional suburb of Middleton.
Bill made the decision to cut back on his role after talks with Coronation Street supremo Kim Crowther.
But the star will remain in the ITV1 soap, popping back to film scenes in the Rovers Return and Roy's Rolls.
He suffered a major heart attack in 1976 and had bypass surgery in 1986.
After a second heart attack in 2002 he had a pacemaker fitted - and still smokes despite doctors' advice.
Bill also recently admitted his hearing difficulties cause problems during filming.
He said: "Deafness creeps up on you. It's starting to get a bit embarrassing on set."
The star's poignant leaving scenes mark the end of the Duckworth dynasty in Weatherfield - and are bound to pull in a huge audience.
Viewers will see Jack depart the cobbles with Vera's ashes tucked under his arm.
Following his wife's death from a sudden heart attack last year, Jack sold the house to his lodger Tyrone Dobbs but continued to live there.
Even after Tyrone married sweetheart Molly (Vicky Binns) earlier this year, the newlyweds assured him that the place would always be Jack's home.
While he clears the house of his possessions, Jack takes a trip down memory lane as he leafs through photograph albums of Vera, their wayward son Terry and their grandchildren.
In a moving tribute to Vera, Jack says to himself: "Well Vee, I suppose this is it.
"Everybody knows we had more than our share of ups and downs between these walls. But we were happy here until you decided to sneak off to heaven before closing time. It's not like Connie will ever replace you.
"You know that don't you, my little puddle-duck? Aye, I'm sure you do."
Jack then places the urn containing Vera's ashes under one arm and his stuffed pigeon Fergie under the other - and takes a last, emotional look at his old home.
He then bids a tearful farewell to Tyrone, telling him: "Twenty-one years of married life me and our Vera spent here.
"They were happy days most of them. Not all of them but most. But I know I'm leaving the house in good hands."
As they hug, a sobbing Tyrone says: "Bye, Jack. I'll miss you."
In his final words, Jack replies: "Aye, lad - me and all. Take care. Bye for now."
But Corrie bosses have stressed they are planning for the character to keep making one-off appearances in the future.
During his farewell pint of Newton and Ridleys in the Rovers, Jack tells old friend Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox): "I'll try to pop back now and again.
"Because as long as this place still sells beer... I'll still be wanting to drink it."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2535738/Jack-Duckworth-quits-Coronation-Street.html
Aww, I wish him well, I shall miss him being a regular. :(
Actor Bill Tarmey, 68 - who has played Jack for 30 years - is cutting back on acting after health problems.
Viewers will see pigeon-fancier Jack move out of the house he shared with late wife Vera (Liz Dawn) - and into the plush digs of millionaire new love Connie Rathbone (Rita May) in the fictional suburb of Middleton.
Bill made the decision to cut back on his role after talks with Coronation Street supremo Kim Crowther.
But the star will remain in the ITV1 soap, popping back to film scenes in the Rovers Return and Roy's Rolls.
He suffered a major heart attack in 1976 and had bypass surgery in 1986.
After a second heart attack in 2002 he had a pacemaker fitted - and still smokes despite doctors' advice.
Bill also recently admitted his hearing difficulties cause problems during filming.
He said: "Deafness creeps up on you. It's starting to get a bit embarrassing on set."
The star's poignant leaving scenes mark the end of the Duckworth dynasty in Weatherfield - and are bound to pull in a huge audience.
Viewers will see Jack depart the cobbles with Vera's ashes tucked under his arm.
Following his wife's death from a sudden heart attack last year, Jack sold the house to his lodger Tyrone Dobbs but continued to live there.
Even after Tyrone married sweetheart Molly (Vicky Binns) earlier this year, the newlyweds assured him that the place would always be Jack's home.
While he clears the house of his possessions, Jack takes a trip down memory lane as he leafs through photograph albums of Vera, their wayward son Terry and their grandchildren.
In a moving tribute to Vera, Jack says to himself: "Well Vee, I suppose this is it.
"Everybody knows we had more than our share of ups and downs between these walls. But we were happy here until you decided to sneak off to heaven before closing time. It's not like Connie will ever replace you.
"You know that don't you, my little puddle-duck? Aye, I'm sure you do."
Jack then places the urn containing Vera's ashes under one arm and his stuffed pigeon Fergie under the other - and takes a last, emotional look at his old home.
He then bids a tearful farewell to Tyrone, telling him: "Twenty-one years of married life me and our Vera spent here.
"They were happy days most of them. Not all of them but most. But I know I'm leaving the house in good hands."
As they hug, a sobbing Tyrone says: "Bye, Jack. I'll miss you."
In his final words, Jack replies: "Aye, lad - me and all. Take care. Bye for now."
But Corrie bosses have stressed they are planning for the character to keep making one-off appearances in the future.
During his farewell pint of Newton and Ridleys in the Rovers, Jack tells old friend Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox): "I'll try to pop back now and again.
"Because as long as this place still sells beer... I'll still be wanting to drink it."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2535738/Jack-Duckworth-quits-Coronation-Street.html
Aww, I wish him well, I shall miss him being a regular. :(