'I thought I was on my way out': Coronation Street's Liz Dawn encourages others to get help after having pace-maker fitted three weeks ago

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 10:46 EST, 15 October 2013 | UPDATED: 03:27 EST, 16 October 2013

Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn has spoken about her recent surgery after having a heart attack earlier this year, admitting that she thought she was going to die.

The 73-year-old actress, who played Vera Duckworth in the ITV soap for 34 years, appeared on This Morning just three weeks after having her pace-maker fitted.

She said: 'When I had the operation I was terrified, I was frightened to death. I never thought that I would have heart trouble.'

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Recovery: Actress Liz Dawn appeared on This Morning after having a pacemaker fitted three weeks ago

Recovery: Actress Liz Dawn appeared on This Morning after having a pacemaker fitted three weeks ago

Liz, who already suffers from emphysema, suffered a heart attack while on holiday in Spain.

She said: 'It was a shock. I thought I was on my way out. I thought that's it because I'd had lung trouble for twenty years.'

 

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Revealing the scar she now has after having the pace-maker, she said: 'That's all it is and it will fade over time.'

Inspire: The former Coronation Street regular, who showed the presenters her small scar, wants to encourage others to get help Inspire: The former Coronation Street regular, who showed the presenters her small scar, wants to encourage others to get help

On the mend: The star couldn't stop smiling after admitting the surgery has given her a new lease of life

On the mend: The star couldn't stop smiling after admitting the surgery has given her a new lease of life

She wants to encourage others to get help if they have similar symptoms and to not be afraid to visit the doctor.

'I feel a lot better. When I went to have the operation, I was terrified. Thank God I went to hospital; the surgeon was fantastic. I thought I must tell people that's its not that bad.'

Speaking about her health problems, the actress admitted that she hadn't immediately told her bosses when she was first diagnosed in 2008. 

'That's all it is': The actress said she is looking forward to going on a cruise

'That's all it is': The actress said she is looking forward to going on a cruise

Brave: Liz,pointed at her scar, said: 'That's all it is' Brave: Liz,pointed at her scar, said: 'That's all it is'

'Everything has got to flow, everybody goes in and does what they have to do, so you don't make a big thing about yourself.'

She also mentioned how her Bill Tarmey, her onscreen husband, was the only one who knew about her troubles.

She added: 'Bill looked after me, we looked after each other, and we were a team.'

At the end of the interview Liz said she felt lucky to be alive and was planning on going on a cruise. 

Actress: Liz Dawn played Vera Duckworth for 34 years before ill health forced her to leave the show

Actress: Liz Dawn played Vera Duckworth for 34 years before ill health forced her to leave the show

Coronation Street stars past and present have rallied round the popular actress, who left the soap in 2007, sending messages of support.

Millions watched as her character died in her sleep in 2007 but she briefly made a return in 2010 as Vera's 'spirit' when her screen husband Jack Duckworth left the soap.

Liz was left grief-stricken after Bill died in November 2011, and said she 'missed him terribly.'

Couple: Liz's character, Vera, with Bill Tarmey, she left the soap in 2007, Bill died in 2012

Couple: Liz's character, Vera, with Bill Tarmey, she left the soap in 2007, Bill died in 2012

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A lovely lovely lady, and a great comedy actress. I wish her many more years.

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She has COPD and didn't have a clue what it stood for??? Surely if you have suffered this terrible disease you arm yourself with the information if your going on tv to speak about aspects of your life,Philip Schofield was the one who explained what it was, I love Liz Dawn and her down to earth personality, but surely having this disease for all those years and being on a daytime program like This Morning you should have been more prepared.

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Of course she isnt on her way out! Not yet anyway.... not long though I'd suggest.

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She looks twenty years older. She would make a good advert for the anti-smoking campaign., not only does smoking takes a toll on your health, it ages you considerably too.

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GIVE UP THE FAGS....GIVE UP THE FAGS ....GIVE UP THE FAGS....EVERY BODY....

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You are preaching to closed minds.

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The government would just put up other taxes to cover what they'd lose if everyone gave up smoking. Unless, they legalise cannabis and get taxes from that :-)

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Hope she will be ok nice lady

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Pacemakers are no longer having the stigma that comes with it of "being old" I work in cardiology and pacemakers have changed patients lives since they had them implanted. It takes an hour to put in, wound check a few weeks later & follow up appointments. Get checked out!!

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Saw her in the Lowry centre a few months ago and she looked terrible, she looks a lot better now so it must be doing her some good!

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Lots of ((( HUGS ))) sent to you dear Liz (our dear Vera) ....so happy to hear you are now doing well.....after such a scare!! Love your fans from Canada xoxo

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Is one considered an actor if you are just being yourself in a soap opera! She is and will always be Vera!!!

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