Coronation Street’s Betty Driver dies

Coronation Street actress Betty Driver has died at the age of 91.

Coronation Street actress Betty Driver has died at the age of 91.

The actress joined the cast of the Granada soap in 1969 and although it was originally intended to be a short-term contract she fast became a fixture of the Rovers Return Inn where her character of Betty Turpin, later Williams, was a barmaid. The character worked alongside many a landlord/landlady of the Rovers such as the formidable Annie Walker (Doris Speed) and later her co-worker and friend Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear). More recent landlords of the iconic Weatherfield pub have included Vera and Jack Duckworth (Liz Dawn & Bill Tarmey) and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).

Driver became a firm favourite with fans of Corrie and Betty’s Hotpot, a dish she often served in the Rovers, even released as a ready-made meal in the real world such was its fame. Driver already had an extensive showbiz career before joining the cast of the Manchester serial in 1969 – having started performing from a young age. Earlier this year she told the BBC she had no plans to retire ‘”I just love working and I will never retire – ever – they’ll have to shoot me to get rid of me. I just love people, you see, and I love the cast.“

ITV said the actress “died peacefully in hospital” early on Saturday morning – she had been in hospital for some weeks. A spokesperson said “She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her”. Former co-star Julie Goodyear led the tributes, quoted on the BBC, saying “It was an honour and a privilege to work with Betty Driver for 25 years. We laughed together, we cried together and never once had a cross word. She was a totally professional actress. A true icon and legend and a very dear friend. She will be missed and remembered by millions.”

An ATV Today Photo Special with tributes from her co-stars is now online here.