Corrie's Jack sticking with soap

Coronation Street veteran Bill Tarmey is sticking with the ITV soap, despite reports to the contrary.

Earlier this month, a weekend tabloid reported that the 67-year-old, who has played Jack Duckworth since 1979, was planning to retire after celebrating 30 years in Weatherfield.

However, a friend of Bill told The Sun: "If Jack's health holds out he will continue to enjoy his job. It's true September 2009 will mark his 30th year on Corrie but that doesn't mean that he’s retiring."

They added: "Bill is missing Liz terribly but he knows that she's enjoying herself. She's sailing the seven seas and seeing the world on cruise ships."

In January, his long-standing co-star Liz Dawn, who played Jack's wife Vera Duckworth for 33 years, bowed out when her character passed away peacefully at their home. In real life, the 68-year-old quit the soap due to her ongoing ill health and battle with lung condition emphysema.