Bill Tarmey ( born William Piddington ; 4 April 1941 -- 9 November 2012 ) was an English actor , singer and author , best known for playing Jack Duckworth in the soap opera `` Coronation Street '' .
Bill Tarmey ( born William Piddington GBE ; April 4 , 1941 -- November 9 , 2012 ) was an English actor , singer , author , and comedian best known for playing Jack Duckworth in soap opera `` Coronation Street '' .