Coronation Street actress Jean Fergusson dies age 74

Celebs say goodbye to television and theatre star Jean Fergusson

coronation street jan fergusson

by Chanel Georgina |
Updated on

Known to Corrie fans as Dorothy Hoyle, the actress who had so much more to give – Jean Fergusson – has sadly passed away.

’Allo ’Allo! favourite Vicki Michelle – who also plays Patricia Foster in Emmerdale – paid tribute to the late Jean, writing, "Shocked & saddened to hear Jean Fergusson has passed.

"Lovely lady, fabulous actress. Saw her Sunday at #SuPollard’s birthday, said she wasn’t feeling well. @benstockbiz and I planned to take her out next week.

"Can’t believe she’s gone."

Check out: next week's Corrie spoilers - Daniel finally breaks down after Sinead's death

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Coronation Street Spoilers Monday 18 - Friday 22 November slider

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Daniel returns from Scotland with Bertie for Sinead's funeral, where everyone is left in tears by his speech.

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As everyone gathers at The Rovers after the service, Daniel announces he's going home to watch the videos Sinead left for him and Bertie.

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But when Daniel returns home from the funeral he's devastated to find his flat has been ransacked and the laptop is gone.

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Daniel calls Peter who is still at the funeral to tell him about the robbery, and Peter sends Carla to look after Daniel while he files a report with police.

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Elsewhere, Paul is confused when Billy offers Bernie a cleaning job at the church, and when he asks Billy why, Billy says it's because he loves him and he wants to help.

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Later on, Billy arrives home to find that Paul has cooked him a surprise dinner and laid the table for a romantic meal. Paul tells Billy he wants him in his life and Billy promises to support Paul through his trauma.

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The following day, Craig has a day off and offers to go with Daniel to look around the local pawn shops to see if they can find the stolen laptop.

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When Daniel spots it in a glass cabinet, he grabs a nearby golf club and, accusing the shop keeper of handling stolen goods, smashes the glass.

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The police are called and it soon becomes apparent that the laptop isn't Daniel's. Daniel is arrested – can Craig convince the police to release Daniel, given the circumstances?

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Back at home, Daniel finally breaks down in Beth's arms as he realises he may never get to watch the videos from Sinead, and Beth tries her best to comfort him.

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Meanwhile, Carla is flummoxed that Michelle is sticking by Robert, despite the affair, but Michelle swears Carla to secrecy,

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Back at Vicky's house, Vicky lays into Robert for leading a double life, and telling her he would break up with Michelle when he hasn't.

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When Tyler arrives home he sees red, throwing punches at Robert and Vicky frantically tries to separate them.

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Once Tyler calms down, a devastated Vicky angrily orders Robert to leave and tells him to stay away from her and the baby.

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When Billy reveals his planner was stolen from the church - containing details about Sinead's funeral – Paul and Gemma put two and two together to work out that Kel and Bernie must have broken into Daniel's place while he was at the service.

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After finding a bag of stolen goods underneath the stairs at number 5, a furious Gemma kicks Bernie out, saying she's gone too far this time – but Bernie seems genuinely perplexed.

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After apologising to Bernie for wrongly accusing her, Paul, Gemma, Bernie and Billy break into Kel's flat where they find the stolen laptop, and a stack of old photos of Paul and other boys.

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As Bernie and Gemma reel in horror at the truth, Billy implores Paul to report Kel but Paul insists that raking through the past would be too painful, and Billy understands.

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Elsewhere in Weatherfield, Michael is shocked by a chance meeting with his ex, Grace, and their daughter in the Freshco carpark – but when Grace sees him she just drives off.

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Later on Micheal tells his parents about his run in with Grace, and just then there is a knock at the door - it's Grace, who tells Michael their child needs a responsible father to rely on.

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After much consideration, Shona and David tell Max and Lily their plan to formally adopt them. But when Max is only concerned with seeing Marion, David is disappointed.

jean fergusson
Jean played Dorothy Hoyle in Corrie ©ITV

Last Of Summer Wine actor Mike Grady also paid his respects to the late star on Twitter – whose cause of death is currently unknown.

“Our beloved colleague of many years, Jean Fergusson has died.

“We have lost a generous storyteller who reduced audiences to good old fashioned, uncontrollable, honest laughter.

“Behind the blonde wig and glitzy make up she was very beautiful, skilled and of great ability.”

Watch: Emmerdale's Ryan Hawley reveals funny David Tennant story | TV Choice Awards 2019

Famed for her portrayal of Marina on British comedy Last Of The Summer Wine for 25 years, from 1985 to 2010, Jean also appeared on the cobbles in a fair few guises.

First she starred as Helen Ashcroft, the sister-in-law of Dr Lowther, then as Gary Mallett’s mother in 1999.

Returning to the soap in 2010, that’s when the Yorkshire actress made a name for herself as Dorothy.

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Meanwhile on the cobbles, the town gathers to pay their final respects to Sinead Tinker, with Daniel Osborne giving a touching speech.

Excusing himself from the wake, Daniel goes home to watch the videos Sinead had left for him and is crushed when he sees that his flat has been robbed.

Investigations lead to Paul Forman and Gemma Winter accusing their mum, Bernie Winter, of the burglary, but it soon becomes apparent that her boyfriend Kel was the criminal

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