Coronation Street

Vera's last episode on Friday then, which won't make for easy viewing I don't think.

I'm not sure they've built up to it very well really. There has been no real indication that the character has been feeling unwell. I realise it happens suddenly in real life, but it just feels a bit under prepared for a soap storyline. No ?

I agree completely. What's even more disappointing is that she hasn't even been at the centre of the show this week, with Michelle's storyline continuing to dominate the proceedings. But I've not come to expect much with Steve Frost's Coronation Street.

It's going to be sad. I think the first time I remember watching Vera in Corrie was when she was working at Bettabuys with Ivy (correct me if I'm wrong).

She did indeed have a role at Bettabuys with Ivy "lips" Tilsley. Should be a good set of episodes on Friday. Shame alot of it has only been mentioned in passing though aside other storylines.

It's not has though they didn't have time to plan for her departure.

Cheers for that, I thought she worked there for a bit.

I think a lot of it comes down to the fact Liz Dawn wasn't well enough to play a lot of scenes which explains why its been done in this way.

That said, the Liam, Carla and Maria storyline is boring me as is "Ryyyyyaaaaannn!" - which has been the main storyline at the moment.

Indeed, it's abit over-emphasised. If they've wanted to get rid of poor actors before (and I don't think the lad who plays Ryan is particularly poor) then there are ways to do it - a 2 year trip to "family in Ireland" and a return with a new face would've done it. Conflict with new "step-dad" Steve could've achieved that.

Casting accusations on the NHS's ability to keep track of new born babies is a thinly-based storyline to say the least. Manchester isn't exactly a technological outback when it comes to health care!

However, there have been some surprisingly impressive scenes from Kym Ryder. She is far better at this than I expected.

Bye, Vera.

We will miss you, chuck!

Well as we all know Liz Dawn is unwell so cant do many scenes. So many others who have left in the past havent had a big departure either. Not everyone has to have an explosive exit you know. The fact we dont know exactly how it happens is good as its not often they keep these things secret in Corrie these days and it may get a lot more people watching tonight.

OFGS. Where in that post did I mention anything about an explosive exit? I don't want an explosive exit. My point was that for such an iconic character, her and Jack's plans to move away should be the focus of the week - and I know Liz Dawn is unwell but even so, nobody's asking for anything major - just not for her story to be sidelined by Michelle and bloody Ryan who are effectively non-entities compared to this soap legend.

I do like the fact they've kept it secret - it does build anticipation - and I wasn't suggesting we should have been getting hints. But it does feel like it's just another week in Corrie.

Anyway, I do hope it's good tonight. Should be very sad indeed.

I read today that it was revealed in 2000 that Terry isn't actually Jack's son, but was conceived when Vera had an affair.


I don't remember that storyline at all.

It was the live episode in December 2000; it was when Vera was in a coma (she'd donated one of her kidneys to Paul?) and had written a letter to Jack in case she didn't regain consciousness from the operation. She wrote that she had had an affair with someone before Terry's birth, saying that Terry wasn't Jack's. Jack didn't believe it, saying "There's too much of him that reminds me of how I used to be," or words to that effect.

Will be really hard to say goodbye to Vera tonight.

With Liz Dawn being how she is, I don't see how they could have made the storyline dominate all week, she's been on every day and even made it to the Rovers which is good enough

By the way I guarantee that the first comments after 9pm on here will be people unhappy at the way the credits were done and the announcer talking over them!