Betty Driver has died.

['Conor]

Betty Driver has died today aged 91 years, she is best known for playing soap legend Betty Williams on Coronation Street since 1969. Was just said on the news. :sad:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/Betty.jpg

[Patrick]

Was she still in Corrie when she died?

[Maia]

:bawling:

[Sam:)]

:( Is she still in Corrie

['Conor]

yes she was still on Corrie

[Iceman]

How sad but most people will know it was a long time coming, she's been poorly for quite a bit now.

[joeysteele]

It was expected but a great character in the Street. very sad,

['Conor]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5c/Betty%27s_hotpot.jpg

[Niamh.]

awwwww RIP :(

[Pyramid*]

Don't watch the show anymore, but ach, this is sad news.

:(

[Visage]

Coronation Street legend Betty Driver has died aged 91, it has been announced.

The actress, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams for 42 years, "died peacefully in hospital" early on Saturday morning, an ITV spokesman confirmed. She had been in hospital for six weeks.

Driver, who was appointed an MBE in 1999, had been suffering from ill health since May, when she was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia.

She celebrated her 91st birthday at the hospital and later said she was looking forward to returning to Coronation Street.

"I am looking forward to getting back to work. It's lovely in here, but I am looking forward to getting home soon. It's been a wonderful birthday," she said at the time.

"She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her," the spokesman added.

Fellow Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear, who played Bet Lynch, told the BBC: "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."

Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Sullivan, added: "I have lost a very dear friend and the Street has lost a very great character, a professional to her fingertips - she will be greatly missed."

[Black Dagger]

N'aww... who is going to serve the hotpot now =(.

I hope she is given a fitting tribute.

[Visage]

http://i2.cdnds.net/10/48/M/soaps_corrie_betty_williams_with_hotpot.jpg


I am shocked and really sad to read this. :bawling:

[Callum]

Very sad to hear this, I'm quite shocked, I thought she had fully recovered. What a loss to the show she will be, she better get a good send off.

[Niamh.]

Very sad to hear this, I'm quite shocked, I thought she had fully recovered. What a loss to the show she will be, she better get a good send off.

Well she's 91, I suppose so her time was almost up anyway :/

['Conor]

How soon will it be written into the show do you think?

[Smithy]

Awwwwwww :sad:

[Z]

:(!! That's terrible news, she's a fantastic actress and will be sorely missed!

[Scarlett.]

Working until the end, she was a strong woman, how many people still work at 91? RIP Betty

[Smithy]

http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187591

[Scarlett.]

Working til 91, a true star

Requiescat in pace, Betty

ExbPA2vnM28

[Patrick]

Imagine wasting your whole life working on the same show...

[Scarlett.]

Imagine wasting your whole life working on the same show...

I'd hardly say she wasted her life, she spent her life doing what she loved.

[Smithy]

Patrick, your so ****ing disrespectful

[Black Dagger]

Imagine wasting your whole life working on the same show...

PATRICK...

She didn't waste her life working on Coronation Street, she worked with a loyal team who she cared for and did something she wanted to do.

[Scarlett.]

So glad she made this before she died

OHF98QyFOgc

[MTVN]

:(

It's amazing that she was still working at that age, going to be strange not having her on there when she was such a permanent fixture in the Rovers, RIP.

[waterhog]

just saw this on the net < vaery sad news.

[Shaun]

:( rip

[Jordan.]

Sad news, Rip Betty :sad:

[MTVN]

Merged the two threads & moved to the Soaps section, think it's more fitting there

[Scarlett.]

Here's a pic of her debut

http://s1.proxy03.twitpic.com/photos/large/424255257.jpg

[Marsh.]

Imagine wasting your whole life working on the same show...

Shows just how little you know.

She was 91 when she died and worked on and off on Corrie since she was in her 50's. Hardly her whole life.

She worked in musical theatre and films from being a teenager. She's done a lot more than you'd ever hope to achieve.

[Scarlett.]

Shows just how little you know.

She was 91 when she died and worked on and off on Corrie since she was in her 50's. Hardly her whole life.

She worked in musical theatre and films from being a teenager.

I heard she actually came out of retirement to do Corrie

[Marsh.]

I heard she actually came out of retirement to do Corrie

It's great she never wanted to fully stop working. Major kudos to her, let's hope Corrie give her a fitting tribute.

[Iceman]

Coronation Street stars past and present have been paying tribute to Betty Driver today, following news of her death.

The actress, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams for 42 years, "died peacefully" on Saturday morning after spending the last six weeks in hospital.

Some of the ITV1 show's biggest stars have since released statements and written messages on Twitter remembering the Weatherfield legend, whose character was famous for her hotpot.

Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Stape): "Betty. What a lady. What a life. Wonderful to have known her xx"

Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster): "Just heard that Betty Driver has died. Absolute legend. She will be so missed x Thoughts are with Mark Hudson who was also very close x"

Andrew Lancel (Frank Foster): "Dear wonderful Betty Driver has died. An extraordinary lady and life. Honoured to have met her and be in her company. A true legend. Xxxxx."

Antony Cotton (Sean Tully): "Today is a very sad day. I am devastated. We've lost our Betty. She was one of the funniest people I've ever met and definitely the kindest. I will miss her so much. Her star shone bright and long. Sweet dreams, Duck."

Charlie Condou (Marcus Dent): "Very sad to hear our wonderful Betty Driver has passed away. A true Corrie legend. She will be missed #ripbetty"

Graeme Hawley (John Stape): "Bless you Betty. A truly beautiful person. #RIPBetty xxxxxxxxxxx"

Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price): "RIP the amazing legend Betty Driver. Xxx"

Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper): "Just adding mine to the chorus of voices saying farewell to our Betty. They don't make em like you anymore. Feel so lucky to have known you."

Vicky Entwistle (Janice Battersby): "I send you a tender kiss & huge cuddle Miss Driver!Amazing talented Lady with an enormous heart. Enjoy your catch up with Freda & Maggie.x"

Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald): "I have known Betty since I was 15 years old, we always had a very good relationship. I was fortunate to be one of her friends and I am going to miss her."

Richard Fleeshman (Craig Harris): "So sad to hear about Betty Driver. Such a lovely lady. She will be missed."

Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street scriptwriter): "RIP Betty Driver, Amazing woman, will be missed by so many."

Daran Little (former Coronation Street scriptwriter): "Remembering happy times with Betty Driver. I'll never forget them. A sad day for variety, big band and TV."

Chris Fountain (Tommy Duckworth): "So sad to hear about betty, I didn't work with her for long but what an amazing woman, so friendly, a true legend and pro.. Rest in peace x."

Helen Worth (Gail Platt): "Our dearest Betty was loved by all she met, and will be sadly missed by all the cast and everyone working on the 'Street'. The legacy she leaves is of laughter and love. The Rovers will not be the same without our adorable Betty."

Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald): "Our Betty - the true and constant Queen of The Rovers. The most famous street in the Kingdom will never be the same now you are gone, but those sparkling eyes and cheeky laugh will live with me forever."

Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch): "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. The very foundation of 'The Rovers Return'. She will be missed and remembered by millions."

Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor): "Such a sad day. Betty we will miss you so much, a legend and an amazing lady. Loved so much by so many people. God bless xxx.

Julia Haworth (Claire Peacock): "The definition of a remarkable lady. Betty Driver. Enormous talent, enormous fun. Rest in Peace sweetheart x."

Kieran Roberts (Coronation Street's executive producer): "Betty was a wonderful actress and remarkable woman. It is humbling to think that the 42 years she spent on Coronation Street was just half of her extraordinary career, but Coronation Street certainly benefited when she decided to join our show in 1969.

"For more than four decades she delighted many millions of Coronation Street fans with her fantastic performance in countless great stories both dramatic and comic. Betty was always a delight to work with and whilst there is a great sadness at her passing away, Betty will be remembered by everyone on Coronation Street with tremendous admiration and affection."

Bill Roache (Ken Barlow): "I loved Betty dearly, she was not only a colleague, she was a friend and godmother to my son James. She will be missed in the Street but she will be missed moreso as a warm and loving person."

Georgia May Foote (Katy Armstrong): "So sad to hear about betty driver, she was an amazing lady. My thoughts are with her family. She will be sadly missed x."

Sally Lindsay (Shelley Unwin): "Just cried with an old friend on the passing of the wonderful Betty Driver, she taught me more about comedy timing than anyone I've ever met. The world was a better place because she was in it. Goodnight Betty,rest in peace I loved you very,very much.x x"

Other stars from the land of soap have also paid tribute to Driver:

Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale): "Just heard the sad news about Corrie's Betty. She was very kind to me when I played a small part on the show years ago. A lovely lady. RIP.x"

Ashley Margolis (Ricky Campbell, Hollyoaks): "So sad to hear that Betty driver has died!! Inspirational!! She was 91.. A true legend.. And she made a good hot pot!!"

Sharon Marshall (This Morning soap expert): "So very sad to hear the wonderful Betty Driver has passed away. she was loved by millions. What an amazing lady."

Charley Webb (Debbie Dingle, Emmerdale): "So sad to hear the news about Betty Driver....my thoughts are with her family and everyone at Corrie."

[Scarlett.]

It's great she never wanted to fully stop working. Major kudos to her, let's hope Corrie give her a fitting tribute.

Aye, I don't think she wanted to be the sort of old lady who just settles down, I hope they bring back a few oldies to wish her off

[bbfan1991]

Sad news. RIP Betty:(.

[Ramsay]

Very sad news
RIP

[LaLaLand]

Will miss her, RIP Betty xx

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

RIP mama. You had a good run. 91 years :worship:

[Visage]

News report


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['Conor]

she has to be one of the most iconic Corrie stars

[Angus]

What a fantastic lady, working to the very end, and clearly doing so because she loved it. RIP Betty, we will miss your hotpots!:sad:

[Doogle]

Just told Mum and it came on the news seconds later.

So sad, but I guess her time was up. What a great woman though :love:

[Harry!]

RIP, such a shame she was a talented actress. No more hotpot now and we don't even know the recipie :(

[Tom]

Imagine wasting your whole life working on the same show...

Shes one of the most iconic characters ever on Corrie. She said she loved the show and would never leave, her intention was always to work there until she died, something she managed to do. Hardly a waste of a life.

Had no idea she was 91 :shocked:, would've put her at 80 maximum. Its sad that all the old soap legends are dying to close to each other- Pauline Fowler, Blanche, Fred Elliott and now Betty :(

[Smithy]

Fred Elliot isn't dead tom

[Tom]

Fred Elliot isn't dead tom

I heard he died ages ago, obviously not :blush2:

[Kerry]

Sad news :sad: x

[RichardWells]

Just a wondeful lady who was loved by everyone she worked with and by people who never even worked with her as evident by comments from other soap stars.

R.I.P. to a legend.

[joeysteele]

I had to grin yesterday while shopping in Asda and I am sure Betty Driver herself would have laughed too at this too.

There were 4 pensioners getting cups of tea at the restaurant area and I heard one of them say, ''Ah poor Betty,I blame Stella,since she became manager of the Rovers she must have been working Betty too hard,never understanding she was 90''.

[RichardWells]

haha.

[Scarlett.]

Betty at last years Street Party
_xzNMx1eZqU

[Jords]

:( :(

r.i.p

['Conor]

There is a tribute on tonight at 8pm on ITV.

[Scarlett.]

Awww at the little piece Ken did