STREET LEGEND LIZ DAWN’S FINAL
FOR more than 30 years he played her tearaway son, bringing joy to millions of Coronation Street fans.
The turbulent relationship between Terry Duckworth and mum Vera gripped viewers for decades.
But off the screen, Nigel Pivaro and Liz Dawn were the closest of friends who stayed in touch long after their Corrie careers ended.
Today, in a moving tribute, Nigel, 57, tells how he saw Liz in the days before her death on Tuesday.
Writing of his heartbreak, he reveals how he held the soap legend’s hand and talked about their favourite Corrie moments together.
Liz, Nigel and Bill Tarmey as Corrie’s Jack, Terry and Vera Duckworth the past few days very difficult imagining the world without Liz. Of course, her passing will leave a big void in so many people’s lives, but I take comfort from having had the privilege of working with and knowing such a great lady, a special person.
I count myself lucky that I did not just know the “public Liz” but I knew the woman behind the public persona.
Liz was so much more than just a TV icon who graced our screens for 30 years. She was a mother and wife who cared deeply for her family and a great and generous friend to so many.
She would think nothing of thrusting a £20 note into your hand if she thought you were on your uppers.
I remember one time years ago when she had got it into her head I was skint.
Despite my protestations, she wrote a cheque for £500 there and then.
Needless to say I didn’t cash the cheque, but I still have it as an example of her kindness.
Liz served as Leeds Lady Mayoress and raised over a million pounds to build a breast cancer research unit at St James’s Hospital in the city.
A devout Catholic, she was granted an audience with Pope John Paul II.
The Pope did not grant her an audience because she was a TV star – chances are he had never heard of Vera Duckworth – he was meeting Liz to bless and thank her for her enormous efforts raising money for charity.
Liz rubbed shoulders with many other members of the great and good, including Tony Blair, of course, who she campaigned for.
She was on first-name terms with several members of the Royal Family, whom she met on countless occasions. Apparently Princess Diana told her she was a Corrie fan and used to eat her dinner off a tray sitting on the settee while watching the show.
Liz would go to great lengths to introduce people if she thought the connection might benefit each of them. Despite her success enabling her to move in such exalted circles, she would never forget old friends or be too grand for her fans.
Liz would often stop to chat with the public and let them pose for photographs with her.
She was one of those rare people that achieved great fame and success, but managed to maintain the affection of ordinary folk without patronising them. Liz was a great example of how to triumph in the face of adversity and use her success and celebrity to even greater ends.
Another like Liz will be a long time coming. God bless you, Liz.