Bill Tarmey 'honoured' by Soap Awards wins

Coronation Street legend Bill Tarmey has spoken of his delight after winning two British Soap Awards.

The actor, who played Jack Duckworth for 31 years, won 'Best Soap Exit' and the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at last night's ceremony.

Speaking of the 'Best Exit' gong, he told the Daily Star Sunday: "This was a real team effort. Everybody from lights to sound to wardrobe to props should be sharing this with me - most of all the writers and Tony Prescott, who directed the final scenes so sensitively."

Of the 'Lifetime Achievement Award', he added: "This is a tremendous honour. I still miss Jack. I wake up at five or six each morning thinking I've forgotten my script. Then I realise I'm retired. I'm still getting used to it but I don't regret my decision to quit.

"I'm only a couple of steps from the knacker's yard. When I get back to England I'm going to be fitted with a new pacemaker. I've had so many heart operations that my chest looks like Spaghetti Junction."

Over 11.6m people tuned in to watch Jack's death in Coronation Street last November.