Betty Driver Remembered with Love

October 26, 2011

ATV Today reporter Maria Brabiner attended the funeral of Betty Driver on Saturday. Here Maria takes us through the final farewell of the Coronation Street star who became a much loved British icon.

Standing with the Manchester crowds today, hearing them talking amongst themselves “Lovely woman” “Legend” “The Street won’t be the same again” those were the words I kept hearing said about Betty Driver, better known as Betty Turpin and her Hotpot from Coronation Street.

I was lucky enough to be on the front row on Saturday for the funeral of Betty Driver at St Ann’s Church, Central Manchester 11.30 a.m. A big screen was erected in the heart of the square for the crowds to follow. A gentleman in the crowd told me that Antony Cotton had arrived very early, 10.00 a.m. and was already inside. One gentleman had come down from Swansea especially, as did a lady from The Isle Of Man.

Standing outside the church waiting on this bright, sunny but cold Manchester morning I suddenly heard a brass band coming down nearby Deansgate. Everybody thought that Betty was being led up by a band, but no, it was soldiers marching. A North West Regiment was having its own little parade. They were clapped up loudly. They marched off, then all too soon a coach arrived. Members of the cast, past and present got off. A couple of cast members chose to arrive separately, longest serving member William Roache (Ken Barlow), Simon Gregson (Steve) in a thick coat and Jimmi Harkishin (Dev).

Current cast spotted leaving the bus included Brooke Sanders (Sophie) wearing very high stilettos, Helen Worth (Gai), Sue Nichollls (Audrey) arriving with her husband Mark Eden (evil Alan Bradley) and Sacha Parkinson (Sian).

Former cast members included Julie Goodyear (Bet) who quickly went into the church, she was followed by brightly dressed Ken Morley (Reg Holdsworth), Chris Bissom (Vikram), Sally Lindsay (Shelley), Vicky Entwistle (Janice). It was like playing spot the star. I quickly got a glimpse of Jennifer James (Former barmaid Geena). I also saw the legendary creator of Coronation Street Tony Warren, and the actor Tony Booth widow of Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner).

The crowds were told that there was an almost full cast turnout complete with ITV Granada production crew. Hymns were “Lord of The Dance” and a rousing “Jerusalem” towards the end. The Order of Service printed had Barbara Knox reading a tribute but it was Helen Worth instead who paid tribute. Helen was fantastic;

“I always knew a hug was guaranteed from Betty”. Helen said, then smiled, “Her last words to me when she knew she was slipping away were “I want you to be happy”. “She gave so much right to the end”. Helen also reflected on the ITV Studios in Manchester being Betty’s second home, “Granada and everybody who worked there were her family. She always asked “You alright Luvvie?” You alright me Duck?” And how Betty thought of her many fans and co-workers right to the end, “It was Betty’s wish for her funeral to be held on a Saturday so that all at Granada could attend.” “We will miss her so much”. “The Rovers will not be the same without her” And how will the cast of Corrie recall soaps’ longest serving barmaid? “How do we remember her? We remember her with a smile, her perfume and her love of life” “We celebrate with you 91 years of Betty Driver”

Bill Kenwright who played Betty Turpin’s son Gordon Clegg also gave a tribute. He too was fantastic. He started off by thanking Helen Worth “Helen, that was lovely, I don’t know how you did it”.

The best bits of Bill’s tribute include; “Betty was a huge huge star in variety. At 12 yrs old she was on The West End, at 18 she did 3 movies. In the 1940’s she was a leading singer in Henry Hall’s band. She was a big big star, within radio and variety halls”. He said, and then recalled much more; “Betty had a juggernaut of love”. “Since Betty died I’ve had condolensce letters from all over the world, sorry about your mother”. “A woman with so much love, who had no love from her childhood and that was the reason why she was a woman with so much love”. “I always called her Mum and she called me Son” “She would be thrilled with all this but she was shy, a really shy lady”. “Wonderful actress”.

Reflecting on her final days Bill said, “When I knew she was slipping away, I was told that she was semi-comatose and wouldn’t recognise me, couldn’t talk. I held her hand and told Betty tht I wanted to go back to Corrie for a few weeks. She pulled me towards her and managed to say Don’t you bloody go without me”.

Betty Driver’s singing voice was heard towards the end of the service singing “The World Will Sing Again”. Betty’s wartime song which is also on YouTube (Link opens in a new window).

When the service was over the cast and crew came out, piled again on the coach. The celebrity wake was held at the Midland Hotel. Sue Nicholls gave a wave to fans who were waving at her before embarking. The actors who played Dev and Janice walked past the crowds in silence. No autograph hunters, very dignified. This wasn’t the time nor the place. I feel very privileged to have been part of Saturday’s proceedings.

Other Coronation Street stars spotted by ATV included Jack P. Shepherd, Bill Tarmey, Denise Welch and Sarah Lancashire. Flowers from the official ITV Crossroads Fan Club were spotted inside the hearse as it departed, proving all fans of all soap operas gave a much dignified respect to a grand lady of drama who deserved the plaudits and love bestowed on her during and after her long and successful life.

There is a chance to see the hour long Betty Driver Story this Sunday on ITV.