10:34AM, Jul 15, 2009
It’s time to break out the tissues.
Jack Duckworth is leaving Coronation Street, and it’s going to be a weepy.
As we reported in May, actor Bill Tarney, who’s played Jack for 30 years, is cutting back his Corrie hours due to health problems.
Jack will move in with his loaded girlfriend Connie Rathbone (Rita May) in her swish pad in the fictional suburb of Middleton.
But, Jack will pop back to prop up the bar at the Rovers occasionally. Hooray!
In tear-jerking scenes, Jack clears the house he and Vera shared for over 20 years, leafing through a photo album of the time they shared.
In tribute to deceased wife Vera (Liz Dawn) he says: “Well Vee, I suppose this is it.
Everyone knows we had more than our fair share of ups and downs between these walls. But we were happy here until you decided to sneak off to heaven before closing time.
It’s not like Connie will ever replace you. You know that don’t you my little puddle-duck? Aye, I’m sure you do.”
Sob!
Corrie bosses are keen to stress that Jack will not disappear from Weatherfield forever. Downing his final pint at the Rovers, Jack tells Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox): “I’ll try and pop back every now and then.
Because as long as this place sells beer…I’ll still be wanting to drink it.”
We’re glad Jack’s found happiness again but, gosh, we’re going to miss him.
Find out when Coronation Street is next on TV.
