Coronation Street’s Jack Duckworth laid to rest

THE message was simple and from the heart: ta-ra love. The actor Bill Tarmey, who played lovable rogue Jack Duckworth on Coronation Street for 31 years, was laid to rest yesterday as hundreds gathered for his funeral.

Leading the cast and crew from the popular ITV series was Liz Dawn, who played Jack’s nagging battleaxe of a wife, Vera, in one of the most popular on-screen partnerships in the

history of soap operas.

Looking frail, she attended the service at the Albion United Reformed Church in Ashton-under-Lyne in a wheelchair.

Tarmey died at his holiday home in Tenerife on 9 November, aged 71. He had been in poor health for many years, but only left Coronation Street in 2010.

About 700 people packed into the church for his funeral service, joining his wife of 50 years, Ali, and the two children, Carl and Sara, to say a final goodbye, with the service relayed on loudspeakers for several hundred fans of the show who gathered outside.

Among the mourners were Dawn, who left the soap in 2008 through ill-health, Nigel Pivaro, who played Tarmey’s on-screen son, Terry, and Alan Halsall, whose character, Tyrone Dobbs, looked up to Jack Duckworth as a father figure.

The pews resembled a sombre wake at the Rovers Return as Street stars past and present in attendance included William Roache (Ken Barlow), Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch), Roy Barraclough (Alec Gilroy) and Kevin Kennedy (Norman “Curly” Watts).

In the order of service for William Cleworth-Piddington – Tarmey’s real name – his family said: “Ali and all Bill’s family would like to thank you for your attendance today and for the overwhelming messages of comfort and support they have received during this difficult time.”

Eulogies were given by Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor, and Pivaro.

Ghadie said: “He was genuinely one of the most decent and honourable men you could ever wish to meet. Jack and Vera were a truly unforgettable and formidable partnership, and I doubt we’ll ever see that again. They were simply iconic and Jack Duckworth will forever be a true Coronation Street legend.

“On behalf of everyone who works at Coronation Street and has worked on the programme during its 52 years, and the loyal viewers – Bill, we salute you. And thank you, Bill, for being the light in our lives for all those years and for bringing so much joy and happiness to millions of people.

“We love you, we already miss you and we’ll never ever forget you.”

She spoke of Tarmey and Dawn as being “truly talented actors”, adding, “their timing was perfect and they had this most amazing bond together..”

She continued: “Liz, I know, is devastated by Bill’s loss.”

Pivaro pondered why Jack Duckworth was so popular,

adding: “He was a workshy ne’er-do-well, a layabout – and they were just his good points.”

He pointed out: “There is a bit of Jack Duckworth in all of us men, frustration and thwarted ambition.

“Behind the character was the man. Bill’s huge generosity of spirit, his warmth, his wit, his patience, his wisdom. Today, the world is a little bit poorer for not having him with us, and heaven is a little richer.”