Coronation Street veteran Bill Tarmey, who plays Jack Duckworth, has announced he is retiring after "the most amazing" 30 years on the ITV soap.
The 69-year-old, who became one of Britain's best loved TV duos along with his on-screen wife Vera, said he will "be sorry to say goodbye to Jack".
The actor said: "People often ask me if I like Jack Duckworth and I always reply - 'like him, I bloody love him!'
"I have had the most amazing 30 years playing Jack.
"Because of him I have made some fantastic friends and travelled all over the world."
Fans of the soap have been assured his character will go out with a bang but details of his departure are being kept strictly a secret - so much so that even Tarmey remains in the dark.
