Jack Duckworth is finally reunited with his beloved Vera in moving scenes as he bows out of Coronation Street on Monday. The soap stalwart, played by Bill Tarmey, dies peacefully in the same armchair in which his wife passed away three years ago - and as he drifts in and out of consciousness she 'appears' at his side. And just as she did in life, Vera (Liz Dawn) chastises him for his scruffy appearance. Then the couple have one final dance to the Matt Monro song Softly As I Leave You. Moments after Jack quietly slips away, a stunned Tyrone, Molly and Connie return from the Rovers Return to find him dead in the chair. For weeks a dying Jack has been acting as Weatherfield's secret millionaire - helping local residents with gifts and acts of kindness. After discovering he had terminal cancer, Jack decided to come back to Weatherfield to live out his final days among his friends and neighbours, and devastated Tyrone has been struggling with his friend's secret. Bill planned to leave the show more than a year ago, but was persuaded to stay and be part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. Coronation Street executive producer Kieran Roberts said: "Bill Tarmey and Jack Duckworth have been a huge part of Coronation Street for 30 years and, like his many millions of fans, everyone who works on the show with Bill were sad to see him go." Bill said: "People often ask me if I like Jack Duckworth and I always reply, 'Like him, I bl***y love him!' I have had the most amazing 30 years playing Jack. Because of him I have made some fantastic friends and travelled all over the world and I will be sorry to say goodbye to Jack." Click here to watch whatsontv.co.uk's weekly soaps video preview, the Soap Scoop
