Liz Dawn Speaks Of Battle Against Lung Disease And Smoking

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 07 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Coronation Street legend, Liz Dawn, gave a moving insight into the toll that chronic lung disease has taken on her life.

The Leeds born star was recently forced to quit her role as Coronation Streets loveable loudmouth Vera Duckworth because of the effects of emphysema.

In an interview she described how the disease cast a shadow over her final weeks and months on the show that made her famous.

Sixty eight year-old Liz said: "You know you're not right. You only have to see steps and you have a trauma."

"And I don't walk a long way. It's if you have to do things over and over again and especially the cobbles, the cobbles on that street."

"We could do three rehearsals and two takes and honestly I'd be sat on the steps in one of the houses. I couldn't get my breath."

Her physician, meanwhile, says Liz would be dead by now if she had not given up her 50 year smoking habit when she was diagnosed with emphysema.

The actress gave camera's access to Professor Ashley Woodcock after agreeing to try to raise awareness of the disease and smoking.

Prof Woodcock says: "Liz came to me about five years ago and really pretty desperate. At that point she could walk just a couple of yards, she was in a really bad way. She smoked a lot of cigarettes in her life and she came along with lung function that was very poor."

"Stopping her smoking was really critical and she did that, which has been great because she wouldn't be here now if she hadn't stopped."

He added, "We've been able to stabilize her lungs, and in fact give her some improvement by effective medical treatment."

Millions of fans watched last month as Liz took her final bow on Coronation Street after 34 years playing Vera.

http://www.ash.org.uk

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