Soap star’s ‘nervous’ beginnings

Tarmey, who died earlier this month aged 71, played loveable layabout Jack Duckworth in the soap for more than 30 years.

Goodyear, who played Rovers Return landlady Bet Lynch, told the Radio Times she had shared some “marvellous scenes” with him over the years.

She said: “I can remember one of the very first scenes I did with Bill on Coronation Street. He was terribly nervous and I did something very unprofessional: I had a quiet word with the floor manager and asked him not to announce that we were going for a take.

“I knew, in my heart, that if Bill could get one take under his belt then his confidence would soar. So Bill, thinking it was a rehearsal, was absolutely wonderful. And afterwards, his nerves kicked in again and he said, ‘Oh Jules. We have to do a take now. I hope I’m half as good as that.’

“And I said, ‘Billy, that was a take’. And he threw his arms around me. He never forgot that. Afterwards the nerves went away and he made Jack Duckworth a fantastic character.”

Goodyear said her friendship with Tarmey was “very deep”.