Tragedy in Coronation Street as Jack Duckworth bids his Vera a sad farewell

Her last scenes have been taped in secret so it is still unclear exactly how she dies.

Coronation Street producers were so keen to keep the cause of death hidden that they have reportedly filmed three different endings to the storyline which will unfold in the new year.

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Sad farewell: Beloved Coronation Street resident Vera Duckworth is laid to rest in scenes to be aired next year

Jack and Vera's wayward son Terry (Nigel Pivaro) returns to the Street for the funeral

Actresses Anne Kirkbride (Deirdre Barlow) and Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) at the funeral scene in Manchester

Veteran: Actress Liz Dawn has played Vera for 34 years, she is leaving the show due to ill health

The 68-year-old suffers from emphysema and is too sick to continue working.

Her on-screen husband Jack - played by Bill Tarmey - is to remain in the show.

Dawn has previously admitted that she is pleased that Vera is being killed off.

"It is going to be very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it is the right decision for the character.

"[Producers]Steve Frost and Kieran Roberts were very respectful about how I would feel about Vera dying and we talked about it at length before we made the final decision.

"I have had 33 marvellous years in Coronation Street and will miss everyone very much." she said.

Dawn's co-star Sally Whittaker who plays Sally Webster said Liz would be sadly missed by the cast and the soap would "never be the same again".

"Liz is one of those people who lights up your day and makes you feel you're a million dollars." She said.

Actor Alan Halsall who plays Jack and Vera's surrogate son Tyrone with co-stars Vicky Binns and Tom Hudson

Coronation Street actresses Eileen Derbyshire and Barbara Knox film scenes for Vera's funeral

Maria Sutherland, played by Samia Ghadie, is among the mourners at Vera's funeral

Vera's last scenes have been taped in secret so it is still unclear exactly how she dies