There were emotional scenes at Salford Cathedral today as co-stars, family and friends gathered together for the funeral of Liz Dawn, the actress who played beloved battleaxe Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street for 34 years.
Mourners lined the streets of Manchester ahead of a requiem mass for the soap star at the cathedral this afternoon, following her death, aged 77, last month. She had fought a 13-year battle with emphysema.
Her heartbroken husband Don Ibbetson was comforted by family as his wife’s coffin was removed from the hearse and blessed, before being carried into the cathedral.
Floral tributes, including one spelling out the word ‘Mum’, were placed on and around the coffin in the hearse.
Among the mourners were Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor, and her ice scater husband Sylvain Longchambon. Alan Halsall, whose character Tyrone Dobbs was taken in by Vera and husband Jack on the soap, attended with wife Lucy-Jo Hudson, who played Katy Harris in the soap.
The funeral procession for actress Liz Dawn, best known as Corrie’s Vera Duckworth, makes its way to Salford Cathedral
A floral tribute laying against Liz’s coffin spelled out the word ‘mum’ as pallbearers removed from the hearse
Ms Dawn’s family embraced as her coffin was raised onto the shoulders of pallbearers and carried into the packed cathedral
The coffin was blessed before being carried into the cathedral, followed by mother-of-four Ms Dawn’s heartbroken family
Liz’s husband Donald Ibbetson was comforted by family as relatives watched much-loved Ms Dawn’s procession arrive
The family stand arm in arm as the coffin arrives at the church after passing through streets lined with crowds today
Ms Dawn is survived by her husband, her four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
Kym Marsh (left), who plays Michelle Connor, and Samia Ghadie (right), who played Maria Connor in the ITV soap, arrives at Salford Cathedral with husband Sylvain Longchambon
Alan Halsall who plays Tyrone Dobbs and Lucy Jo Hudson and Jack P Shepherd arrive with other stars this afternoon
Friends, co-stars and family are gathering at Salford Cathedral today for the funeral of Coronation Street’s Liz Dawn
Helen Worth, who plays Gail Rodwell, Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt, and Chris Gascoyne, the soap’s Peter Barlow, were also present for the service.
Former stars Ken Morley, who played Reg Holdsworth, Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby, and Alison King, who played Carla Connor, also turned out to pay their respects.
Samia Ghadie said in her eulogy: ‘Liz was always a force to be reckoned with and someone we all looked up to and admired.
‘Liz was undoubtedly a wonderful, kind, funny and considerate person and someone whose generosity knew no bounds. Liz was an incredibly special lady and her legacy will go on. She touched our lives and made a difference and for that reason we are truly grateful for her.’
Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, said: ‘Liz could talk to anyone and always treated everyone the same, which was absolutely part of her charm one of the reasons we loved her all the more.
‘Liz was a true inspiration and always so generous with her time, but she never expected anything in return.
‘She also had no idea how much she was loved or how funny she was and she’d have been totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of love these last couple of weeks.
‘This really wouldn’t be a tribute to Liz without ending it the way she ended all of her conversations with me and Samia and that is simply… I love you.’
Actress Helen Worth embraces another mourner as the congregation arrives for the funeral of their friend this afternoon
Actor Michelle Le Vell and actress Sally Dynevor joined Alison King at the service following filming of the show today
Helen Worth, who starred as Gail Platt, and Nigel Pivaro, who played Liz’s on-screen son Terry Duckworth, arrived at the Cathedral for the service this afternoon
Sylvian Longchambon and Samia Ghadie arrive with a huge bouquet of flowers. Samia paid tribute to Liz in a eulogy
Shobna Gulati, known to viewers as the character Sunita Alahan, walked into Salford Cathedral with other cast members
Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor, was among a group of stars who got off a bus ahead of the service this afternoon
Today’s mass, which is being taken by Reverend Father Brendan Curley, includes two of Liz’s favourite hymns; ‘Here I Am, Lord’ and ‘Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace’. It will be followed by a private committal attended only by family.
The actress had entertained generations of viewers with her portrayal of Vera opposite henpecked husband Jack, played by the late Bill Tarmey.
Born Sylvia Butterfield, the actress was best known by her professional name Elizabeth or Liz Dawn, and started her showbusiness career as a nightclub singer. She was awarded an MBE in the 2000 birthday honours.
She had four children and was married twice – to miner Walter Bradley in 1957, with whom she had her first child, and to electrician Donald Ibbertson in 1965.
Georgia Taylor, who played Toyah Battersby, and Jane Danson, who played Leanne Battersby, arrive for the service today
Actor Ken Morley, best known as Reg Holdsworth in the soap, wore a blue tie and spotted shirt for the ceremony today
Andy Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland, and Sally Ann Matthew, who stars as Jenny Bradley, at the funeral today
Actor Bruce Jones, who plays cab driver Les Battersby, arrived for the requiem mass to celebrate the life of the actress
Richard Hawley and Chris Gascoyne, the soap’s Peter Barlow, were also present for the service at 2pm this afternoon
Leeds-born Dawn first appeared in Coronation Street in 1974 before her character moved into number nine along with 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.
Following her death, her family said in a statement: ‘We are devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, the incredible Liz Dawn.
‘Liz died peacefully last night at home with her loving family around her. She has been the love, light and inspiration in our lives and we are bereft at her passing.’
A statement issued on behalf of Coronation Street read: ‘We have been blessed to have Liz in our lives, as she was such a kind, considerate and caring friend and colleague.
‘As Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth for 34 years, Liz brought so much joy and happiness to so many. She was a wonderful actress who will forever be a true Coronation Street legend.’
Connor McIntyre, dressed in a black three-piece suit and tie, and Antony Cotton arrive ahead of the service this afternoon
Actress Jennie McAlpine, best known for her role as Fiz Brown in the ITV soap, game through the cathedral gates with others
Mr Le Vell, know for playing mechanic Kevin Webster, wore a grey cheque three-piece suit and black tie, for the ceremony
Flowers are carried in by funeral directors as mourners queued up to get into a packed Salford Cathedral for the mass
Ms Dawn was loved by millions of viewers after appearing on the ITV soap as Vera Duckworth for 34 years
Ms Dawn’s coffin was covered in flowers and the hearse was followed by funeral cars carrying her family and friends
The order of service features a picture of the actress in her younger years. She first set foot on the famous cobbles in 1974
Viewers of the soap lined the streets for the funeral procession before some made their way into the cathedral for the service
Dawn left school at 16 and worked selling light bulbs in Woolworths, as well as in a local tailoring factory, as a cinema usherette and shoe salesgirl.
She began her showbusiness career as a nightclub singer. By the late 1960s she ventured into acting, often taking small parts in TV programmes as well as appearing in commercials.
During the 1970s Dawn appeared in a variety of programmes, including All Creatures Great And Small and Colin Welland’s play Leeds United.
In 2000, Dawn was chosen as the Lady Mayoress of Leeds and was awarded an MBE in October of that year for services to charity, having helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for hospitals in the Manchester and Leeds areas.
The actress is pictured with her long-time co-star Bill Tarmey, who played on-screen husband Jack Duckworth
Dawn died aged 77 following a battle with emphysema. She is pictured, right, at the funeral of Corrie co-star Bill Tarmey