[Scarlett.]

CORONATION Street icon Betty Driver has been admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia, it was revealed last night.

Friends and family of the 90-year-old actress, who plays Rovers Return barmaid Betty Turpin, are keeping a vigil by her bedside.

Granada bosses have told the soap’s cast to prepare “for the worst”.

One insider said: “Everyone loves Betty, she’s part of the heart and soul of Corrie. We’re all very worried.

“We know she’s an elderly woman but she’s always been larger than life. Everyone’s keeping their fingers crossed that she pulls through.”

The actress joined the ITV1 soap in 1969 and has vowed never to retire.

Betty’s hotpot is one of Britain’s most famous dishes, although no one has ever tasted it and the actress herself is a vegetarian.

She scooped a lifetime achievement gong at the British Soap Awards last year.

Betty, who lives in Cheshire, was a child star, appearing on stage at 11 and later starring in movies. She came out of retirement to join the cast of Coronation Street, believing it was for only six episodes.