Saying goodbye to Jack Duckworth is going to be harder than I thought. I was choked. Well done to Bill Tarmey, who plays Jack, for such a moving performance.
The next few weeks is going to be a tough slog for those of us who have grown up with Jack Duckworth's presence on the telly, always there, always Jack, always down the pub supping or looking after his pigeons.
He's one of a dying breed of Corrie stalwarts. Earlier this year we lost Blanche Hunt when actress Maggie Jones passed away. Now we're losing Jack Duckworth and we can only wish Bill Tarmey the very best of everything for his well deserved retirement.
See alos: Bill Tarmey releases his autobiography.
Yeah - definitely something in my eye. I just hope that Jack's plea to Tyrone to help him squeeze the best out of his final weeks of life is as entertaining as it promises to be. In real life, of course, a terminal cancer patient like Jack would be too busy feeling bloody awful to squeeze out the last joyous dregs of his span, but we'll let that ride. Cast your minds back and the the last Corrie character to succumb to terminal cancer, Alma Baldwin, also turned up her toes in record time. And it can sometmes happen that quickly in the real world, though not often. I trust that the last farewell of a beloved character such as Jack will be beautifully dealt with, as was the departure of Jack's precious Swamp Duck. Don't let us down, eh, Corrie? I love that Duckworth chap.
ReplyDeleteOh dear... love Jack. This 50th anniversary run-up is turning out to be a barrel of laughs, isn't it? And thn we get a "blood bath" for the event. What HAS happened to this show?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenes with Jack, he will be missed, I grew up watching Jack Duckworth on TV, he's more than a TV character to a lot of people out there.
ReplyDeleteHim calling baby Jack "Little Puddleduck" was moving too
Really emotional. When Jack filled up, I did too... will definitely miss him. And going from all the press reports, his last scene in No. 9 will be a real tearjerker (as with Vera's death as well).
ReplyDeleteAgree that he's more than just a fictional character - he's a part of people's lives and the Street will be a sorer place without him!
Having had a glimpse (like you Nora) of what is to come, it's going to have us all in floods.
ReplyDeleteAlthough not a huge fan of the Duckworths, I will miss Jack and last night's scene was very moving and well performed by Bill and Alan. Hope he'll have a dignified ending.
ReplyDeleteI will miss Jack. I wonder if r Terry will be back for the funeral, hope so, also Tommy Horton who must be grown up now.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was proper hankie time.
ReplyDeleteThe other story strands just didn't matter to me.
I also loved the way that all the "you're like a son/dad to me" was dropped, and it was "son and dad" at last.
It's gonna be a hard month!
I too am another one who is only just realising how hard it is going to be to lose Jack. I have loved Ty since I was a little kid as well so last nights scenes killed me!!!
ReplyDeleteI adored the 'little puddleduck' moment to :( I will miss Jack sooo much!
I have been reading excerpts from Bill Tarmey's book on the Mirror website. Very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteSigh...another legends leaves the Street
I admit I cried and I don't know if I will be able to watch his demise. It is reported that he will see the ghost of Vera.
ReplyDeleteWhen my dad passed away he looked up and said " Mary ( my mom who had already passed away) I am not ready yet, why are you here" It will bring back memories.
God Bless Bill in your retirement. You will be missed on the show
Just caught up with seeing Jack tell Tyrone he has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma which is something I am battling. It really it brought it home to me that although I am in partial remission I have had another 7 years since diagnosis with the help of 2 lots of chemo and I am still here . I just feel so very lucky
ReplyDeleteCoronation Street deserves praise for the sensitive way they have brought these issues to light. So let’s hope that the way Jack has confronted death helps stimulate conversations across Britain that ultimately means more of us get to die in the way we would wish for.
ReplyDeleteJack Duckworth’s death is a great example to us all of how to plan for and make sure people can die in the way they would wish. After more than 30 years on the Street Jack Duckworth is a true hero to fans and the way he has faced his own death is fittingly inspirational. Like many of us, Jack initially tried to avoid talking about the fact he was dying but he came to realise that, without good communication, dying can be a lonely, stressful experience but that by being open about dying he could have the death he wanted, where he wanted.
With the help of friends, Jack took control - whether that be through the frank discussions he’s had with friends and family, the ‘to do list’ he created and acted upon or his final party. His final poignant moments, dying in the chair that his wife died in, only happened because he was clear about his wishes and told the right people before it was too late.