Veteran Coronation Street actor Bill Tarmey has decided to cut back on his hours on the ITV soap due to persistent health problems.

The Sun reports that Tarmey’s character Jack Duckworth will leave Weatherfield, just popping back for the occasional visit.

Jack will move out of the house he shares with Mollie and Tyrone and move in with his new girlfriend Connie Rathbone in Middleton.

In his final episode, Jack will star in a poignant scene seeing him leaving the house with Vera’s ashes under one arm and stuffed pigeon Fergie under the other.

Jack will say: “Well Vee, I suppose this is it. Everybody knows we had more than our share of ups and downs between these walls.

“But we were happy here until you decided to sneak off to heaven before closing time. It’s not like Connie will ever replace you. You know that don’t you, my little puddle-duck? Aye, I’m sure you do.”