The creators of Coronation Street have made a touching tribute to late star Liz Dawn by dedicating an episode to her memory.
An image of the actress, who famously played Vera Duckworth for 34 years on the ITV soap, appeared at the end of Wednesday night’s first episode, with a caption reading: “In memory of Liz Dawn. 1939-2017.”
The gesture came following the news of her death at the age of 77 this week.
Her family said in a statement that she died peacefully at home on Monday night.
In memory of Liz Dawn. pic.twitter.com/qGDV9VEUzd
— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) September 27, 2017
As the tribute was aired at the end of the first of the programme’s new Wednesday double-billing, the official Coronation Street Twitter account shared a video medley of some of Vera’s finest moments.
A number of Coronation Stars shared their own memories of Dawn, with William Roache, who plays long-running character Ken Barlow, describing her as a “beautiful human being”.
The 85-year-old told ITV News: “Liz Dawn was one of the most beautiful human beings I’ve ever met.
“She was kind. The first to help anybody in trouble … A very loving and loveable person. Even though she’s been out of the street for quite a few years, there’s this sense of loss that she’s gone.”
Dawn first appeared on the cobbles in 1974 and became a formidable force alongside her on-screen husband Jack, played by the late Bill Tarmey.
After being diagnosed with emphysema, Dawn was written out of the soap in 2008 when Vera died in her sleep.
Her final episode was watched by more than 12 million viewers, ITV news said.
