Bill Tarmey Dead, Coronation Street Star 'Jack Duckworth' Dies Aged 71

Coronation Street Star Bill Tarmey Dies Aged 71
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Bill, Tarmey, one of 'Coronation Street's most beloved stars, has died aged 71.

Tarmey played Jack Duckworth, husband of Vera, father of Terry, for 27 years. He left the soap in 2009 after suffering health problems, but was persuaded to stay with the show to help celebrate its 50th anniversary the following year.

His arguments with Vera, his spectacles held together with a plaster, his endless can't-fail schemes and self-professed way with the ladies, all made Jack Duckworth a legend on the cobbles.

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Jack and Vera Duckworth (Bill Tarmey and Elizabeth Dawn) made one of Coronation Street's most popular couples

He made his first appearance on the show in 1979, and went on to become one of its institutions. Jack Duckworth and his wife Vera were not the tranquil of couples, but their marriage withstood a hundred frying-pan moments, several when Jack was thrown out onto the cobbles, as well as dealing with their wayward son Terry, played by Nigel Pivaro. Jack and Vera's chemistry made them one of the show's most popular couples.

By the time he left the show, Tarmey was the second longest-serving actor on it, behind William Roache (Ken Barlow).

Away from the soap, in which he made his first appearance in 1979, Tarmey was a well-regarded singer, with several albums to his name. (Click here to hear Bill Tarmey on Spotify)

His autobiography Being Jack – My Life on the Street and Other Adventures was published in 2010. He leaves his wife Alma and their two children, son Carl and daughter Sara.

In pictures: Remembering the Street legend...

Bill Tarmey
(01 of25)
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Viva Las Vegas as Jack and Vera Duckworth (Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn) rekindle their romance in the gambling capital of the World, in a special Coronation Street video. The 75-minute video is due to go on sale on November 17. Pic Dave Kendall. (credit:PA)
(02 of25)
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Coronation Street stars Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn (Jack and Vera Duckworth) enjoy a day out with other cast members at Haydock Racecourse in Merseyside, where they filmed an episode of the show. (credit:PA)
(03 of25)
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Coronation Street stars Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn (Jack and Vera Duckworth) enjoy a day out with other cast members at Haydock Racecourse in Merseyside, where they filmed an episode of the show. (credit:PA)
Bill Tarmey(04 of25)
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Coronation Street actor Bill Tarmey, Jack Duckworth in the ITV soap. (credit:PA)
(05 of25)
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Viva Las Vegas as Jack (left) and Vera Duckworth (Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn) meet up with Street veteran Ray Langton (actor Neville Buswell) in the gambling capital of the World, in a special Coronation Street video. The 75-minute video is due to go on sale on November 17. (credit:PA)
(06 of25)
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Jack (Bill Tarmey) and Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) in the soap's Christmas video. Joan, 64, makes a cameo appearance when Jack and Vera fly home from Las Vegas to London. (credit:PA)
(07 of25)
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(08 of25)
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Jack Duckworth played by Bill Tarmey, and Tina Fowler played by Michelle Holmes in the Rovers Return pub, Coronation Street. (credit:PA)
Betty Driver funeral(09 of25)
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(l-r) Bill Tarmey, Sally Lindsay and Antony Cotton leave St Ann's Church in Manchester city centre after the funeral service for Betty Driver. (credit:PA)
(10 of25)
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Members of the cast of ITV's soap opera Coronation Street, crowded around a cake replica of the street at the celebration to mark its 25th anniversary at the Dorchester Hotel. Front row, left to right, Julie Goodyear, Eileen Derbyshire, Thelma Barlow, William Roache, Jean Alexander and Betty Driver. Back row, left to right, Liz Dawn, Nigel Pivaro, Anne Kirkbride, Bryan Mosley and Bill Tarmey. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Christmas Party - Manchester(11 of25)
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Bill Tarmey attends the Coronation Street Christmas party at Revolution bar in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street filming - Manchester(12 of25)
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Jack Duckworth (played by Bill Tarmey) takes Tyrone Dobbs (played by Alan Halsall) and Molly Dobbs (played by Vicky Binns) to show them the house that belongs to his new partner Connie Rathbone (played by Rita May). (credit:PA)
Coronation Street filming - Manchester(13 of25)
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Jack Duckworth (played by Bill Tarmey) takes Tyrone Dobbs (played by Alan Halsall) and Molly Dobbs (played by Vicky Binns) to show them the house that belongs to his new partner Connie Rathbone (played by Rita May). (credit:PA)
Coronation Street filming - Manchester(14 of25)
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Jack Duckworth (played by Bill Tarmey) takes Tyrone Dobbs (played by Alan Halsall) and Molly Dobbs (played by Vicky Binns) to show them the house that belongs to his new partner Connie Rathbone (played by Rita May). (credit:PA)
Coronation Street filming - Manchester(15 of25)
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Jack Duckworth (played by Bill Tarmey) takes Tyrone Dobbs (played by Alan Halsall) and Molly Dobbs (played by Vicky Binns) to show them the house that belongs to his new partner Connie Rathbone (played by Rita May). (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Photocall - Manchester(16 of25)
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Coronation Street's Bill Tarmey (Jack Duckworth) was joined by Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) and Patrick Allen who is the marketing director for the co-op, who now sponsor the All Star football team. (credit:PA)
Coronation Street Christmas Party - Manchester(17 of25)
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Actor Bill Tarmey joined the Coronation Street cast for their christmas party held at 235 Casino in Manchester. (credit:PA)
corrie xmas.(18 of25)
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Bill Tarmey and wife arrive for the Coronation Street Christmas Party at the Lowry Hotel in Manchetser. (credit:PA)
Pat Pheonix Funeral(19 of25)
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Coronation Street stars William Tarmey (Jack Duckworth), Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch), and Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) arrive for the funeral of former Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix. (credit:PA)
(20 of25)
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Bill Tarmey has managed a swift recovery from a heart surgery and is back on the Coronation St for a corporate event in Manchester. Half length. (credit:PA)
(21 of25)
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Ken Roache and Bill Tarmey photographed arriving for lunch with the Coronation Street bosses to discuss their performances. half length. (credit:PA)
(22 of25)
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Bill Tarmey and wife, arrive at the Coronation Street Christmas Party at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Norman At Ninety - Tribute Luncheon(23 of25)
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Actor Bill Tarmey arrives at the 'Norman At Ninety' Tribute Luncheon at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on February 18, 2005 in London. Members of showbiz fraternity and charity The Grand Order Of Water Rats and other celebrity friends help celebrate Wisdom's 90 birthday, which was February 4. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(24 of25)
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Coronation Street Actors (left/right) (real name-stage name) Bill Tarmey-Jack Duckworth, Tracy Shaw-Maxine, Angela Griffin-Fiona Middleton and Liz Dawn-Vera Duckworth, attend the premiere of Viva Las Vegas, a Coronation Street Video Film to be sold from 17th November. Photo by Adam Butler/PA (credit:PA)
(25 of25)
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Coronation Street stars Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn attending the Inside Soap Awards Party at The Mayfair Club in London. (credit:PA)