Coronation Street - Liz Dawn´s curtain call

18 January 2008 - 'Coronation Street' star Liz Dawn will appear in her final episode tonight (18.01.08) after 33 years on the show.

The soap star's much-loved character Vera Duckworth will die suddenly just hours before she and devoted husband Jack are due to set of for a new life in Blackpool.

The show's bosses have been so keen to keep the details of her shock death under wraps they have filmed three different endings for tonight's episode, with only the actors and crew involved knowing which is the real one.

Liz said: "It was very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it is the right decision for the character.

"I have had 33 marvelous years on 'Coronation Street' and will miss everyone very much."

Liz decided to retire after discovering her life-long smoking habit had left her with lung disease emphesyma, and just five years to live.

She was originally tipped to return to the soap for one-off episodes, but after discussions with the show's producers Kieran Roberts and Steve Frost it was decided to kill off Vera once and for all.

Liz said: "Steve and Kieran were very respectful about how I would feel about Vera dying. It was the right way to leave."

Frost added: "Liz will be missed enormously by everyone who works with her on the show and by millions and millions of viewers."

(C) BANG Media International