Updated: 14.20
Tributes are being paid to British actress Liz Dawn who has died aged 77.
She played the character Vera Duckworth in the long-running soap Coronation Street for 34 years.
In a statement, the 77-year-old's family said the actress died peacefully at home on Monday night with relatives around her.
It reads: "We are devastated and heartbroken at the passing of our much-loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, the incredible Liz Dawn.
"She has been the love, light and inspiration in our lives and we are bereft at her passing."
While a statement from ITV, the makers of Coronation Street, says: "It is with the greatest sadness that we have learned our beloved Liz Dawn has passed away last night. Her family at Coronation Street are heartbroken.
Liz Dawn as Vera Duckworth | Image: ITV
"We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy at this very sad time to Liz’s devoted husband Don, her loving children Graham, Dawn, Ann and Julie, their families and her six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
"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."
Coronation Street’s executive producer, Kieran Roberts, says: "Liz Dawn was a true Coronation Street legend, a brilliant actor and a wonderful person.
"Everyone lucky enough to have worked with Liz during her thirty-four years playing Corrie icon Vera Duckworth will remember her with huge affection."
Dawn first appeared in the soap in 1974, before going on to star in more than 6,700 episodes until 2010.
Tributes are flooding in from social media:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s Vera’s Last scene with Jack as they now join each other in heaven. Rest in Peace Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn. <a href="https://twitter.com/itvcorrie">@itvcorrie</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/KjZFH1TNLg">pic.twitter.com/KjZFH1TNLg</a></p>— Corrie News (@ITV_CorrieNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/ITV_CorrieNews/status/912628921895669760">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liz Dawn was a brilliant actress & a true friend of Labour. She was as warm as Betty's Hotpot & made Vera a Corrie legend. Farewell chuck.</p>— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/912663340484366336">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RIP Liz Dawn ????</p>— Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) <a href="https://twitter.com/shayneTward/status/912622337425596416">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So sad to hear about the Passing of Liz Dawn. :( <a href="https://t.co/kuo3EfcoKd">pic.twitter.com/kuo3EfcoKd</a></p>— PickledJo Draws ?? (@pickledjo) <a href="https://twitter.com/pickledjo/status/912619563350667264">September 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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