12.5 million people in Britain - 20% of the population - watched Coronation Street's long-serving character Vera Duckworth die in her sleep in an armchair whilst her husband Jack was enjoying a pint at the Rovers Return. He came back and saw her lying in the chair, originally believing she was asleep.
Vera and Jack were due to retire to the Lancashire coastal resort of Blackpool.
Vera Duckworth, who first appeared in the world's longest-running and most famous soap opera in 1974, was being killed off as the actress who plays her, Elizabeth Dawn, decided to leave the soap as she is ill with lung disease.
Vera's Corrie exit seen by 12.5m
Vera and Jack had just arranged to retire to Blackpool
Veteran Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth has bowed out of the ITV soap opera, with her exit watched by an estimated 12.5 million people.
One of the best-loved characters in the show, Vera died in an armchair as her husband Jack was in the Rovers Return.
Actress Liz Dawn, 68, who played Vera since 1974, is retiring because she suffers from chronic lung disease.
Some 12.5 million viewers watched between 1945-2000 GMT, according to unofficial overnight figures.
Three different death scenes had been written, with the final end filmed under tight security.
'Wonderful woman'
Dawn said: "I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much.
"It was very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it was the right decision for the character."
Vera's best friend was Ivy Tilsley who died in a convent of a heart attack in 1994
Actor Bill Tarmey, who has played her husband Jack for almost 30 years, called Dawn a "wonderful woman".
"We have never had a cross word.
She only left a few weeks ago but I already miss walking on set and seeing her there and I miss working with her."
Together, the pair became one of the most enduring soap opera partnerships, which ended with Jack tearfully watching funeral directors taking away Vera's body.
Vera's early years in Coronation Street revolved around work at the factory with friends including Ivy Tilsley.
While her marriage to Jack was often stormy, her only son Terry caused her no end of heartache, culminating in his sale of her grandson Tommy. Her high point came when the Duckworths temporarily took charge of the Rovers pub.
news.bbc.co.uk
Vera and Jack were due to retire to the Lancashire coastal resort of Blackpool.
Vera Duckworth, who first appeared in the world's longest-running and most famous soap opera in 1974, was being killed off as the actress who plays her, Elizabeth Dawn, decided to leave the soap as she is ill with lung disease.
Vera's Corrie exit seen by 12.5m
Vera and Jack had just arranged to retire to Blackpool
Veteran Coronation Street character Vera Duckworth has bowed out of the ITV soap opera, with her exit watched by an estimated 12.5 million people.
One of the best-loved characters in the show, Vera died in an armchair as her husband Jack was in the Rovers Return.
Actress Liz Dawn, 68, who played Vera since 1974, is retiring because she suffers from chronic lung disease.
Some 12.5 million viewers watched between 1945-2000 GMT, according to unofficial overnight figures.
Three different death scenes had been written, with the final end filmed under tight security.
'Wonderful woman'
Dawn said: "I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much.
"It was very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it was the right decision for the character."
Vera's best friend was Ivy Tilsley who died in a convent of a heart attack in 1994
Actor Bill Tarmey, who has played her husband Jack for almost 30 years, called Dawn a "wonderful woman".
"We have never had a cross word.
She only left a few weeks ago but I already miss walking on set and seeing her there and I miss working with her."
Together, the pair became one of the most enduring soap opera partnerships, which ended with Jack tearfully watching funeral directors taking away Vera's body.
Vera's early years in Coronation Street revolved around work at the factory with friends including Ivy Tilsley.
While her marriage to Jack was often stormy, her only son Terry caused her no end of heartache, culminating in his sale of her grandson Tommy. Her high point came when the Duckworths temporarily took charge of the Rovers pub.
news.bbc.co.uk