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Veteran Coronation Street character Jack Duckworth is to be reunited with his late wife Vera on screen when his final scenes are broadcast later.

Vera, who died in 2008, is expected to reappear during Jack's dying moments.

Producers have said Vera, played by Liz Dawn, is not a ghost, but will return in a "beautiful and poignant" scene.

Jack Duckworth, played by Bill Tarmey, will succumb to cancer after three decades as one of the ITV soap's best-loved characters.

He first appeared in 1979 but became a regular character in 1983, when he and Vera moved into a house on Coronation Street.

He became affectionately known for his constant squabbles with his wife, his trademark patched-up spectacles and his love of pigeons.

Tarmey originally wanted to retire last year but producers persuaded him to stay for the soap's 50th anniversary, which will be marked next month.

When his departure was announced in April, Tarmey said playing Jack had been "amazing".

"People often ask me if I like Jack Duckworth and I always reply - 'Like him? I bloody love him'," he said.

"Because of him I have made some fantastic friends and travelled all over the world and I will be sorry to say goodbye to Jack."