Corrie's Vera quits the Street

[Chloe O'brien]

Veteran Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn has stepped down from her role as the iconic Vera Duckworth due to ill health.

Liz – who has played her Weatherfield character for 34 years – took the decision to quit the ITV soap for health reasons as she suffers from chronic lung disease, emphysema.

The News of The World quotes the 68-year-old actress as saying her time with the show has been the best of her life.

Corrie's Executive Producer Kieran Roberts told the newspaper: "After 34 years as Vera, Liz has taken a decision to relax and enjoy her retirement.

"We're currently devising a storyline for her character's departure from Weatherfield but we would prefer not to reveal details at the moment."

He went on to say that despite her decision to quit the role in a regular capacity, Vera will continue to make guest appearances, since her on-screen husband, Jack (Bill Tarmey), is sticking with the soap.

Kieran added: "We'll all miss Liz enormously as she's a wonderful lady and a first-rate actress."

Liz is due to remain filming at Manchester's Granada Studios until late October, early November, while her character will bow out of the show before Christmas.

This is the latest cast blow for Corrie bosses as Sean Gallagher (Paul Connor) quit earlier this year after only five months, while Kate Ford and Bill Ward both bid farewell to the Cobbles at the culmination of Tracy Barlow's murderous revenge against Charlie Stubbs.

Meanwhile Wendi Peters (Cilla Battersby-Brown), Tina O'Brien (Sarah Platt), Samantha Seager (Jodie Morton), Rupert Hill (Jamie Baldwin) and Jenny Platt (Violet Wilson) will all leave within the next seven months.

Bradley Walsh, however, will return to the Cobbles as Danny Baldwin "at the back end of this year".

[thestud2k7]

is jack staying or is he leaving too?

[somebyrd]

Vera will continue to make guest appearances, since her on-screen husband, Jack (Bill Tarmey), is sticking with the soap.

Think that answers your question

[Chris_2k11]

Shame but I think we all saw this coming a long time ago

[Bryan]

This is sad news, she's like a part of the woodwork now, Corrie and soap Legend, but at the end of the day if your health's bad there's not much you can do about it. I for one will really miss Vera! Hope they dont kill her off

[DaVeyWaVey]

It is very sad news that she's leaving but it is a very wise decision for her to leave if she is in poor health. I wish Liz Dawn a really happy retirement and i hope Corrie producers give Vera a nice happy exit - preferably her and Jack going away together or something.

[Chris_2k11]

Jack is staying apparently, although I personally don't see the point in that

[DaVeyWaVey]

Jack is staying apparently, although I personally don't see the point in that

As much as I like Jack, i really don't think it would work with him without Vera. It would just feel weird, it's like having bacon without eggs...so i would like Jack to leave with Vera really.

[Jojo]

The other thing to me - if Jack is staying, does that hint towards a not so happy ending for Vera, especially after everything they've been through together. I can't see their marriage suddenly breaking up (even though its come close over the years) and can't think of any other reason that one would go without the other....

[Chloe O'brien]

Maybe the writers of Corrie with find it in their hearts to give them both a happy ending. Let them win the lottery and retire to the countryside where Jack can fly his pidgeons to his heart contents. Please don't kill Vera off.