Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn recovering after heart attack

Dawn in 2008: a spokesman for Coronation Street said: "Everyone on the show wishes her a speedy recovery and sends their love." (GETTY)

Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn who became a household name as Vera Duckworth has suffered a heart attack, it has been reported.

The 73-year-old, who has already been diagnosed with incurable lung disease, was taken to hospital on Monday after complaining of chest pains at her apartment in Whitefield, Greater Manchester.

A spokesman for Coronation Street said: "Everyone on the show wishes her a speedy recovery and sends their love."

Her husband Donald told The Sun newspaper: "She's had a slight heart attack."

But despite the scare he said he was confident she would recover, adding: "She is all right."

The actress treaded the cobbled streets of Weatherfield for 34 years after first appearing in the ITV1 soap in 1974 as wife of Rovers barman Jack, played by actor Bill Tarmey.

In 2004 the actress, who smoked for 50 years, was diagnosed with incurable emphysema.

Three years later she left the show due to failing health and her final scene saw Vera dying in her sleep.

She made a one-off return in 2010 as Vera's "spirit" when Jack was written out.

Tarmey died at his holiday home in Tenerife on November 9 last year, aged 71.

PA