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Actress Liz Dawn, who played battleaxe Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street for 34 years, has died aged 77, her family revealed today.
Liz, who first appeared in Coronation Street in 1974 and was best known for her partnership husband Jack, played by the late Bill Tarmey, became one of the most famous faces on national TV.
In recent years she had been battling the debilitating lung condition emphysema after years of smoking and left Corrie in 2008
This month she was rushed to hospital after fluid built-up on her lungs and she never fully recovered.
Her family said in a statement: 'We are devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, the incredible Liz Dawn.
Ms Dawn had been restricted to a wheelchair and was housebound after a recent hospital admission.
Her years of smoking meant she struggled to breathe or walk and her former Corrie cast had been seen in tears because of her ill-health.
In 2012 she said: 'My breathing was so bad I thought I was dying. I’d smoked for many years and I’d always had a bit of a cough and a splutter but I was getting worse and worse and struggling to breathe.
Her bereft colleagues and co-stars at Coronation Street have given a joint tribute to the star.
Their statement said: 'It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned our beloved Liz Dawn has passed away last night. Her family at Coronation Street are heartbroken.
'We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy at this very sad time to Liz's devoted husband Don, her loving children Graham, Dawn, Ann and Julie, their families and her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
'As Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth for 34 years, Liz brought so much joy and happiness to so many. She was a wonderful actress who will forever be a true Coronation Street legend.'
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