CORRIE legends Liz Dawn and Bill Tarmey have signed a megabucks contract to STAY in Weatherfield.
Millions of fans had been left stunned by reports that the Duckworths would be written out after nearly 30 years over fears for their health.
But the rumours proved groundless - and bosses are even giving Vera and Jack a storming new storyline.
The new deal shows that Liz, 67, is winning her battle with the incurable lung disease emphysema.
And it proves Bill, 65, is also on the mend after he was hit by heart trouble.
An insider said: "Everyone is really happy Liz and Bill are staying on.
"They'll be at the centre of a very big storyline over the coming months which will put them back at the centre of things.
"Corrie wouldn't be the same without them.
"They're like anchors for the show. They're the King and Queen of Corrie."
Liz earns £200,000 a year playing feisty Vera in the smash hit ITV1 soap.
But in 2005 doctors told the 30-a-day smoker she had emphysema - and warned it would get worse. Five years earlier, Bill had a quadruple bypass after suffering a heart attack and a stroke.
He also struggles with a chronic sleeping disorder.
But both of them have bravely fought back for the sake of their army of fans.
