Coronation Street cast pay tribute to “wonderful” and “genuine” Liz Dawn
Former colleagues have paid tribute to Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn, who has died at the age of 77. Dawn portrayed Vera Duckworth on the soap for 34 years… read more
Coronation Street cast pay tribute to “wonderful” and “genuine” Liz Dawn
Former colleagues have paid tribute to Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn, who has died at the age of 77.
Dawn portrayed Vera Duckworth on the soap for 34 years from August 1974 to January 2008, returning for a one-off episode in 2010. She died at home on Monday (September 25), surrounded by loved ones.
A family statement said: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, the incredible Liz Dawn. She has been the love, light and inspiration in our lives and we are bereft at her passing.”
The news has left the cast of Coronation Street heartbroken, as they rushed to pay their respects to the star.
Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster, said: “Liz was an amazing woman. She achieved so much in her life through her role in Coronation Street and her charity work. She was such a giving person who always thought about other people before herself. She was an inspiration of how to be in life and I’m going to miss her.”
Meanwhile, Jennie McAlpine, who portrays Fiz Brown, said: “If ever there was an actress that I wanted to be like most, it would be Liz Dawn. Every time we met she asked after everyone. She was genuinely interested in how everyone was doing. I’ll miss her asking how I am. She was loved by us all.”
Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald in the soap, described Liz as “a warm, very funny, lovely lady who loved everyone she worked with.”
He added: “She touched the hearts of everyone she met and gave so much back with her charity work. She will be missed so much.”
Kevin Webster actor Michael Le Vell described Dawn’s Vera and on-screen husband Bill Tarmey’s Jack as the “foundations on which Coronation Street has been built upon.”
On her impact on the cast, he said: “For anyone young who joined the show Liz was the matriarch. She took us under her wing and was the mother figure who helped guide us through the show. She did that for me. She’s going to be a big loss to us all.”
Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully, said he was “devastated” and commended Dawn as “a wonderful actress, a fascinating storyteller, a hilarious comedian and most importantly a brilliant friend.”
“For many people of my generation, Jack and Vera WERE Coronation Street. A light had gone out in Weatherfield a few years ago, but now Manchester too, has lost a little of its sparkle…”
