Bill Tarmey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Tarmey
|
|
|---|---|
Tarmey as Jack Duckworth in 2007
|
|
| Born |
William Piddington
4 April 1941 Ardwick, Manchester, England
|
| Died | 9 November 2012 (aged 71) Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
|
| Occupation | Actor, singer |
| Years active | 1968–2010 |
| Known for | Role of Jack Duckworth in Coronation Street (1979, 1981–2010) |
| Spouse(s) |
Ali Tarmey
(m. 1962) |
| Children | 2 |
Bill Tarmey (born William Piddington; 4 April 1941 – 9 November 2012) was an English actor and singer. He was most famous for playing Jack Duckworth in the popular TV show Coronation Street. He first appeared as Jack in 1979 and played the role for many years, from 1981 until 2010.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Bill Tarmey was born in Ardwick, Manchester, England. Soon after he was born, his family moved to Bradford, Manchester, where he grew up and went to school. His father, William, sadly died in 1944 during the Second World War.
After leaving school, Bill worked in the construction industry. He learned the trade of spreading asphalt from his stepfather.
Becoming an Actor and Singer
In 1968, Bill decided to change his career. He left the building industry to become a nightclub singer and entertainer. To earn extra money, he often worked as an extra in TV shows, including Coronation Street.
Even though he faced some serious health challenges, Bill was offered the role of Jack Duckworth. This character became very well-known in British TV. He had heart surgery in 1987 and later had a pacemaker fitted in 2002. These health events were even written into the Coronation Street story to explain his time away from the show.
Bill also appeared in other TV productions. He was an extra in the 1983 TV version of King Lear, which starred the famous actor Laurence Olivier. He also appeared on the TV show Lily Savage's Blankety Blank.
Leaving Coronation Street
In 2006, when Bill turned 65, he thought about retiring. Fans of the show sent many letters asking him to stay. In 2009, he wanted to leave Coronation Street because of his ongoing health problems. However, the show's producers asked him to stay until the 50th anniversary of the show in December 2010.
News of his departure was announced in April 2010. Bill said he had "the most amazing 30 years playing Jack." He also mentioned that he had made great friends and traveled the world because of the role. His last episode was on 8 November 2010. In the story, Jack Duckworth died peacefully in his chair. Bill Tarmey was one of the longest-serving male actors on the show.
In 2011, Bill shared that another reason he left the show was because his son, Carl, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009.
Family Life
Bill Tarmey met his wife, Ali, in 1955 at a local youth club. They got married in 1962 and had two children, Carl and Sara.
Bill had health problems for many years, including heart attacks and strokes. He had heart bypass surgery twice. Despite his health challenges, he continued to live in Ashton-under-Lyne with his wife.
His Passing
Bill Tarmey passed away in Tenerife, Spain, on 9 November 2012, at the age of 71. A spokesman for Coronation Street confirmed that he died from a heart attack.
Music Career
Bill Tarmey was also a talented singer and released several music albums. Four of his albums, A Gift of Love (1993), Time for Love (1994), After Hours (1996), and In My Life (2001), appeared on the UK Albums Chart. He also had three singles that made it onto the UK Singles Chart.
His most famous song was a cover of "One Voice". He recorded this song with the St Winifred's School Choir. It reached number 16 on the UK singles chart. After this success, Bill signed a deal with EMI to record more music.
In 1995, to celebrate Coronation Street's 35th anniversary, a CD called The Coronation Street Album was released. It featured cast members singing popular songs. Bill Tarmey sang backing vocals on "The Coronation Street Single" version of Monty Python's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", which reached number 35 in the charts.
Bill Tarmey also wrote a book about his life called Jack Duckworth and Me: My Life on the Street and Other Adventures, which was published in 2010.
Music Releases
Albums
- A Gift of Love (1993), EMI - UK #15
- Time for Love (1994), EMI - UK #28
- After Hours (1996), EMI Premier - UK #61
- Down Home (1997), Connoisseur Collection
- In My Life (2001), EMI - UK #80
Singles
- "Our Song of Love" (duet with Ruth Madoc) (1988), Sain
- "I'll Be with You Soon" (duet with Liz Dawn) (1989), Westmoor Music
- "One Voice" (1993), Arista - UK #16
- "The Wind Beneath My Wings" (1994), EMI - UK #40
- "I.O.U." (1994), EMI - UK #55
