Bill Tarmey's Funeral Sees On Screen Relatives Pay Tributes

Bill Tarmey's Funeral Sees On Screen Relatives Pay Tributes

Bill Tarmey's death occurred in Tenerife on the morning of 9 November 2012 at the age of 71. The much loved actor was most famous for his role of Jack Duckworth on British soap Coronation Street. At his funeral, his colleagues have been paying tribute.

"Duckworth will forever be a Coronation Street legend,' said Samia Ghadie, who plays Maria Connor. "On behalf of everyone who works at Coronation Street and has worked on the programme for 52 years, and the loyal viewers who have followed the programme throughout these years - Bill, we salute you." The Metro also reported Nigel Pivaro, who played Jack and Vera's tearaway son Terry, speaking of Tarmey's "warmth, wit, patience and wisdom"

"I think those qualities that he had in abundance we will keep them in our hearts as his legacy. Today the world is a little poorer for not having him with us and heaven is a little richer," he continued to say. 

A life-long heavy smoker, Tarmey suffered a severe heart attack at just 35 while singing on stage and had heart surgery to bypass clogged arteries at 45, having the operation redone 15 years later.

In his eulogy, the Rev Paul Stringer told the congregation that William Cleworth-Piddington - his real name - met his wife at Ebeneezer Methodist Church in the city at the age of 14. She became his "soul mate", he said, adding: "You were his rock. In recent years you were Bill's accountant, agent and pill dispenser."