Corrie Liz back home11
Street’s Vera on the mend after spell in hospital for life-threatening illness What Eva next... Street love rat’s final showdown
CORONATION Street legend Liz Dawn was back at home yesterday after being discharged from hospital following life-saving treatment.
The star spent more than two weeks being cared for by doctors when she developed severe breathing problems.
Friends and family of the 77-year-old, who played Vera Duckworth for 34 years, were left “fearing the worse”.
But she fought back and was discharged on Friday evening. Yesterday she was being cared for by relatives.
Husband Don Ibbotson said: “We’re so relieved to have her back home.
“At one point she took very bad and we thought the worst but she fought back. It’s amazing, and now she seems to be getting stronger by the day.”
Liz, a former heavy smoker, has suffered from the lung condition emphysema for several years. She had a pace- maker fitted in 2013 after having a heart attack while on holiday in Spain.
In June she had surgery linked to her heart condition but she fell ill again and was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, Greater Manchester, in late August.
Her family kept a constant vigil by her bedside. Liz’s mood was also boosted by a visit from her recently born greatgrandson, the son of grandson Luke Ibbotson and his wife Nicola.
She was also cheered by messages of support from fellow Corrie stars including Alan Halsall and LOVE rat Aidan Connor finally gets his comeuppance this week as the Corrie love triangle hits a barnstorming climax.
All hell will break loose on Aidan and Eva’s wedding day – and actor Shayne Ward admits playing the rogue has been “wicked”.
Aidan is due to wed Eva – actress Catherine Tyldesley, 33 – thinking she is pregnant, when she is not.
His ex-mistress Maria, played by Samia Longchambon, 35, is set to gatecrash the ceremony – unaware revenge-seeking Eva knows about the affair. One scene shows Aidan reeling as Eva comes into their room. It promises to be classic Corrie fireworks and former X Factor winner Shayne, 32, is loving it. He said: “I’ve had a wicked time, it’s been so much fun. It’s Samia Ghadie, who play Tyrone Dobbs and Maria Sutherland in the ITV soap.
A family source said: “She is still very poorly but she’s fighting all the way and it is better for her to be here in her own place, her own environment and amongst her family where she feels more comfortable.”
Liz first appeared on the cobbles in 1974, quickly becoming a viewer favourite alongside on-screen husband Jack, played by Bill Tarmey.
She left in 2008 but made one last appearance in 2010 when her ghost visited Jack before he passed away.
Bill died of a heart attack, aged 71, at his holiday home in Tenerife two years later. Speaking recently about her health problems, Liz said: “If it wasn’t for the doctors, I wouldn’t be here today. “My health is very bad these days. I just have to get on
with things.”
At one point she took very bad and we thought the worst but she fought back LIZ’S HUSBAND DON ON EX-SOAP STAR’S HEALTH SCARE
been a brilliant love triangle. It’s down to the writers if they see any way back for Aidan and Eva. I won’t complain.
“I’ve had an affair with two women! A lot of people want me with Maria but a lot of older guys want me with Eva.”
Shayne says his real-life girlfriend, Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin, 33, laughs about his Street shenanigans.
The couple became parents themselves last December.
And of jibes about his girth since quitting pop for acting, Shayne said: “The bigger I get, the better the cuddles for my daughter.”