The announcement tonight that Bill Tarmey, alias Jack Duckworth will be leaving Coronation Street at the end of the year is probably no surprise to anyone. We've seen less and less of Jack since the death of his Vera, mainly due to ailing health which has plagued him for some time now and also to spend more time with his family. Bill has had several heart attacks and heart bypass surgeries in his life, two of the attacks before he even started on Corrie. The Mirror reports that he will stay until the 50th anniversary in December and Jack will get a big send off. I do hope Jack doesn't die. I'd like to see him retire to Spain with Connie, finding love after Vera. All being well, he might even hold Tyrone and Molly's baby, his de facto grandchild before he goes but that will depend on the outcome of the upcoming car crash.
Bill Tarmey has been playing Jack Duckworth since 1979, his first scenes were at Gail and Brian Tilsley's wedding! I suspect we'll be seeing a few more faces finally retire after the milestone in December, but that's just speculation. We wish Bill all the best and look forward to Jack's exit storyline.
Very sad to see him go. However, it is definately the right time for Jack to say goodbye to the cobbles for one final time. I hope he isn't killed off. I would like to see him have a happy ending with Connie. Maybe the even get married before leaving.
ReplyDeleteI also suspect others might call time and retire after the 50th.
With the likes of Jack and Betty, as they're not appearing regularly, I wouldn't be surprised. Anne Kirkbride has said she'll be leaving after the 50th hasn't she? And in the next decade, the likes of Emily, Ken and Rita will be leaving, which is a real shame. :( I'm certain that Corrie will see great change in this decade as it did in the 1980s when the likes of Elsie, Ena, Albert, Annie, Hilda, Stan and Len left, who'd been at the fore for over 20 years.
ReplyDeleteWHAA, who said Anne Kirkbride will be leaving?
ReplyDeleteAs for Jack, I hope he is not killed off, good idea for him to go and live in Spain with Connie.
They said a few months ago. Didn't they say on this blog?
ReplyDeleteThere's been speculation for awhile now, but this seems to be the definitive announcement.
ReplyDeleteBill will go down in history as one of the great Corrie classics.
ReplyDelete