Jack Duckworth tributes pour in

Bill Tarmey's final episode as Coronation Street's Jack Duckworth has been praised by critics and viewers alike.

Earlier tonight, the long-standing character died of a heart attack in the chair that his wife Vera passed away in nearly three years earlier.

The poignant episode included a guest appearance by Tarmey's former co-star Liz Dawn, who played Vera's ghost in an emotional final scene which saw the pair dance to 'Softly As I Leave You'.

Having seemingly joined Vera in heaven, Jack's foster son Tyrone (Alan Halsall) discovered Jack, becoming tearful before saying, 'Goodnight, dad'.

The Guardian's Mark Lawson described the scene as achieving "a depth unmatched in other drama", praising the show's writers for the "injection" of "magical realism".

DS forum members also paid tribute to Jack, as Cinnte commented: "That ending could not have been done any better. The camera angle focusing out onto the street was an excellent touch.

"Tyrone's reaction was excellent and the importance of Jack to Tyrone was outlined brilliantly. I definitely shed a few tears."

Meanwhile, LemonadeMan said: "You know what I loved and hated the most? You see characters like Jack and Vera reunited in death and all that history.

"All that pathos, all those little character moments come back, then you realise that's it, a link to the show's history is gone."