Sylvia Butterfield MBE, better known as Elizabeth Dawn or Liz Dawn, was a renowned English actress who made a lasting impact on the world of entertainment. Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Dawn began her show business career as a nightclub singer, eventually transitioning into acting in the late 1960s. She took on small parts in television programs and advertisements, as well as appearing in various shows such as All Creatures Great and Small and Colin Welland's play Leeds United. Dawn's early work also included a non-speaking background artist role in Crown Court.
In the 1970s, Dawn's career continued to flourish, with her most notable role as Vera Duckworth in the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. She first appeared on the show in 1974, initially in a recurring role as a factory worker, before her character's storyline became more prominent in 1983. For her iconic portrayal of Vera, Dawn received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 British Soap Awards.
Dawn's life and career were not limited to her acting accomplishments. In 1990, she was featured on the popular TV show This is Your Life, and she published her autobiography, Vera Duckworth - My Story, in 1993. In 2000, Dawn was honored with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to charity, having raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for hospitals in the Manchester and Leeds areas. She also served as the Lady Mayoress of Leeds in the same year.
Dawn continued to make appearances and contributions to the entertainment industry throughout her life. In 2010, she attended the naming ceremony of the new Cunard cruise ship, MS Queen Elizabeth, in Southampton, and in 2011, she presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to her former co-star Bill Tarmey at the British Soap Awards. In 2014, Dawn was the subject of a celebrity special on The Jeremy Kyle Show, where she discussed her career and health.
Tragically, Dawn passed away on September 25, 2017, at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
