More than 12 million see Vera's Corrie exit

Around 12.5m viewers tuned into Coronation Street on Friday night as Vera Duckworth bid farewell to the soap.

The character - played by actress Liz Dawn - died in an armchair at the end of the first of two episodes shown on Friday, as husband Jack was having a drink in the Rovers Return.

It was one of three different death scenes for Vera which had been filmed, and kept tightly under wraps, with the nature of the character's demise kept a secret.

The viewing figures peaked between 1945-2000 in the scenes leading up to Vera's death.

Dawn, 68, is retiring due to chronic lung disease. She said, "I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much."

Friday's second episode ended with Jack, played by actor Bill Tarmey, watching tearfully as Vera's body was driven away by undertakers.

Tarmey described his onscreen partner as a "wonderful woman".

"She only left a few weeks ago but I already miss walking on set and seeing her there and I miss working with her," he admitted.