[Scarlett.]

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!"

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