Betty to leave Coronation Street

[Scarlett.]

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00112/corrie_01_112528a.jpg

IT'S last orders for Coronation Street legend Betty Driver as the Rovers Return queen of the hotpot quits after an incredible 41 YEARS.

But the soap's oldest cast member - 90 in 11 days - has vowed to see out as many episodes playing barmaid Betty Williams as she can this year to mark the show's 50th anniversary.

She told a close friend: "If my health holds up I want to get through this year and take a big part in the anniversary celebrations. Then my plans are to put my feet up and have a long overdue rest."

Street chiefs were worried Betty would go early when she was admitted to hospital near her Cheshire home last month with a chest infection.

But the one-time big band singer - awarded the OBE in 2000 - is on the road to recovery and looking forward to getting back to work at Granada's Manchester studios.

But she was still too ill to accept in person the Lifetime Achievement Award she won at last night's British Soap Awards. Instead she recorded a video message in which she said: "I'm not very good at making speeches but I want to thank everyone at ITV."

A Corrie insider told us: "Betty's probably the most popular person on the show."

The Leicester-born actress started performing aged just eight. She originally auditioned for the role of Hilda Ogden but joined the show in 1969 as school dinner lady Betty Turpin, and has seen off two screen hubbies.

Although Betty will always be remembered for her trademark hotpots, in real life she's a staunch vegetarian and admitted: "I couldn't cook a hotpot to save my life!"

News of the World

[Kerry]

She really does need a rest at her age!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awww she'll be missed

[Kerry]

Loads of goodbyes in soapland recently :shocked:

[bbfan1991]

Hope Betty has a nice retirement:).

[Scarlett.]

Indeed she does, and its very well deserved

and yeah there is, but I think Betty definately quit on her own terms

[Smithy]

omg, Nooooo

:bawling:

[Kerry]

I don't like the character although she is a Corrie legend:D, hope Betty has a nice retirement:).

Awww she's part of the furnature :D

[Kerry]

Indeed she does, and its very well deserved

and yeah there is, but I think Betty definately quit on her own terms

Oh certainly and I don't bloody blame her!

[Stacey.]

ah, it's about time.
hope they get some new younger characters in.

[bbfan1991]

Awww she's part of the furnature :D

:spin:, correction I do like her.. in a world of my own:joker:.

[Scarlett.]

it will be weird her not being there

[Kerry]

:spin:, correction I do like her.. in a world of my own:joker:.

She's the original tittle tattle :D Long before the Norris's of the street :laugh:

[Kerry]

it will be weird her not being there

No more Hotpot?!?!?! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

[Scarlett.]

No more Hotpot?!?!?! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

Indeed D: D: D:

[bbfan1991]

She's the original tittle tattle :D Long before the Norris's of the street :laugh:

Please let boring Emily be next to go:hugesmile:.

[Scarlett.]

No! She's been there since episode 2 :O

[Z]

Aw! :love: Bless her, I hope she gets to take part in the anniversary celebrations; she's long overdue a break though!

[Kerry]

Indeed D: D: D:

Maybe 'Becky's Butties' next. Or 'Liz's Lunches'. 'Steves sarnies'?

No?

[Scarlett.]

Maybe 'Becky's Butties' next. Or 'Liz's Lunches'. 'Steves sarnies'?

No?

Becky's baps ;)
Steve's sausage ;)
Liz's...yeah

[Kerry]

Becky's baps ;)
Steve's sausage ;)
Liz's...yeah

:shocked:

[Kerry]

Please let boring Emily be next to go:hugesmile:.

Yeah but the 'oldies' give the street the perfect balance.

[bbfan1991]

Gail is my favourite out of the older characters:thumbs:.

[Kerry]

Gail is my favourite out of the older characters:thumbs:.

I don't like her. Her blinking drives me mad :D

[bbfan1991]

I don't like her. Her blinking drives me mad :D

She's a very complicated but nice woman who makes stupid decisions:hugesmile:.

[Smithy]

They're obv going to kill her off :(

With so many leaving around december, maybe theres going to be a big disaster :O

[Scarlett.]

They're obv going to kill her off :(

With so many leaving around december, maybe theres going to be a big disaster :O

Possibly, its a few of the big stars too

[Smithy]

Possibly, its a few of the big stars too

IK

Apparently a few years ago they wanted to kill off a load of characters by having Claire drive a bus into the rovers (By accident) but the producers said no because enough people had already left that year.

They may go down a similar route this year

[Scarlett.]

IK

Apparently a few years ago they wanted to kill off a load of characters by having Claire drive a bus into the rovers (By accident) but the producers said no because enough people had already left that year.

They may go down a similar route this year

Nah, it was tram that was going to derail, thats why Claire went for the tram job first xD but the tram people said they didnt want the distater to happen xD

[Smithy]

Nah, it was tram that was going to derail, thats why Claire went for the tram job first xD but the tram people said they didnt want the distater to happen xD

Well Tram Train Bus, It's all the same to me :p

[Scarlett.]

Well Tram Train Bus, It's all the same to me :p

lol :]

[Kerry]

I doubt they'll kill Betty off. I reckon she'll retire and disappear into the sunset like Hilda Ogden. They won't kill another so soon after Blanche

[bbfan1991]

Please kill Maria off Corrie:thumbs:.

I wish a producer would have the guts to axe Sean and Michelle:(.

[\PJ/]

about time,her skin is like old leather and she gives nothing to the show.

[Scarlett.]

Who knows, maybe Sean dies with Tony xD

[bbfan1991]

Who knows, maybe Sean dies with Tony xD

Maybe Trevor dies saving Carla;).

[Scarlett.]

possibly :p

[Callum]

No more hot pot's :shocked: :shocked:

[Kerry]

No more hot pot's :shocked: :shocked:

LOL I said the same thing

[bbfan1991]

No more hot pot's :shocked: :shocked:

Sketty Liz will have to cook or Becky can do smoking sausages:joker:.

[Callum]

LOL I said the same thing

I always wanted to try one