Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey to retire

The programme's fans have been assured his character will go out with a bang but details of his departure are being kept strictly under wraps – so much so that even he remains in the dark.

Although he told producers he wanted to leave last year, he will now stay on for the show's 50th anniversary in December.

Tarmey, 69, who became one of TV best loved duos beside his screen wife Vera, said he will "be sorry to say goodbye to Jack".

"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," he said, announcing the decision yesterday.

"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."

A spokesman for ITV said scriptwriters and new producer Phil Collinson were working on a "fitting" storyline.

"I had originally wanted to retire last year but producer Kim Crowther and my wife Ally persuaded me to stay for the show's 50th anniversary and I am glad that I made that decision," he said.