Liz Dawn has come out of retirement for a cameo role in Emmerdale. The actress, best known for playing Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street, will make a one-off cameo in the soap's Christmas Day special.
The 76-year-old filmed her cameo this week, and is set to play Mrs Winterbottom, a demanding guest staying at Eric Pollard's B&B. Despite spending over 30 years starring in Coronation Street, it was rival ITV soap Emmerdale which tempted Liz out of retirement for a brief comeback.
Liz Dawn will make a cameo in Emmerdale on Christmas Day
"There's only one show I'd come out of retirement for and it's Emmerdale, particularly as I’ve celebrated my 76th birthday this week so I wanted to mark the occasion," Liz said. "I love my character. What a feisty lady she is! Giving them all a run for their money in the B&B on Christmas Day. She's so rude to them which isn't like me at all."
Liz continued: "The cast and production team at Emmerdale have been so lovely and really looked after me and I was particularly pleased to be directed by Tony Prescott. I've worked with him over many years at Corrie and he's a lovely man, really good at what he does and very creative. I'll be looking forward to seeing my scene on Christmas Day and introducing you all to Mrs Winterbottom."
Liz has come out of retirement for the cameo
The actress rose to fame playing Vera Duckworth in 1974, a role she played until January 2008 when her character died in her sleep. Liz asked to be written out of the show after being diagnosed with the incurable lung disease emphysema, but did make a one-off comeback in 2010 to play Vera's spirit when her on-screen husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) passed away.
After leaving the long-running soap, Liz said her only regret had been not retiring earlier due to her health issues. Speaking to The Mirror, she explained: "I wish I had left before. It was a bit of a struggle. Some days I would have to sit in the car for about ten minutes before I had the energy to even start the engine."