Tarmey played Jack Duckworth for 31 years on the soap, a run second only to Roache's portrayal of Ken Barlow for the past 52 years.
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> 'Coronation Street' Bill Tarmey dies: Reactions from soapland
"Over the years Coronation Street has produced characters who are really powerful and legendary - Jack Duckworth was one of those," said Roache.
"He was the downtrodden loveable rogue who never got anything right but was loved by everyone."
He added: "This was down to Bill Tarmey's incredible skills as an actor, he had amazing comic timing and was a genuinely warm and wonderful human being."
Bill Tarmey's life and career in pictures - photo gallery:
Julie Goodyear, Liz Dawn and Bill Tarmey as Corrie's Bet Lynch, Jack and Vera Duckworth in The Rovers Return.
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