View Full Version : Betty admitted to hospital
CORRIE'S oldest cast member Betty Driver - 90 next month - is being treated for a chest infection in a private hospital.
Betty - who has played hotpot-making barmaid Betty Williams since 1969 - has spent several days being cared for.
But she has no plans to call time on her career and wants to get back behind the Rovers Return bar.
Co-stars have sent get-well messages and a Street source said: "She is probably the most popular person in the cast.
"Everyone wants her to get well and get back on set."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2950681/Coronation-Streets-Betty-Driver-in-hospital-with-chest-infection.html#ixzz0mNgoKGyq
moonstorm
29-04-2010, 10:48
She is brilliant for 90!! Hope she makes a speedy recovery.
Betty Driver has died in hospital :( RIP Betty
Coronation Street favourite Betty Driver has died at the age of 91.
An ITV spokesman said she "died peacefully in hospital" in the early hours of this morning.
She had played the role of Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams (Turpin) in the soap for 42 years.
The actress had been in hospital for six weeks. She had also been unwell earlier in the year and was treated for a chest infection in 2010.
The ITV spokesman said: "She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her."
Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Sullivan in Coronation Street, said: "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."
Julie Goodyear, fellow barmaid Bet Lynch in the soap, said: "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."
Julie said Betty was "the very foundation of the Rovers Return" and added: "She will be missed and remembered by millions."
Betty had originally auditioned for the role of Hilda Ogden in 1964 after a 36-year-career in radio, television and the stage. She was then persuaded to come out of retirement in 1969 to audition for the role of Betty instead.
Her character became known for her famous hotpot - but Betty herself never tasted the dish as she did not eat meat.
Last year, when the soap celebrated its 50th anniversary, Betty insisted she would never retire from the show.
She said at the time: "I love working. I can't retire, I won't retire - I never ever will."
Betty appeared in more than 2,800 episodes of Coronation Street and was made an MBE in the Millennium New Year's Honours list.
Coronation Street executive producer Kieran Roberts said: "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."
Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald, said: "I have known Betty since I was 15 years old, we always had a very good relationship and I was fortunate to be one of her friends and I am going to miss her."
Her close friend Charles Orr said: "A true legend has left us with enough love and memories to last a lifetime."
Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/soap-news/2011/10/15/betty-driver-dies-coronation-street-stalwart-dead-at-91-115875-23490467/#ixzz1aqbrMqUm
Coronation Street stars 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 wrote 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"
How utterly sad. She was an institution and one of those people you thought was going to live forever. Although she has not played a major role for sone time now I'm sure her loss will be felt by many.
parkerman
15-10-2011, 12:58
Absolutely, Alan. She will be sadly missed. Her presence on set even when she didn't have much to do put others in the shade by sheer weight of personality. A real legend (unlike other supposed legends we could mention).
Let's hope she hasn't gone to the hot pot.
that is really sad that she has gone she has been on it for a while
Very sad news - RIP Betty.
Elizabeth Mary Driver was born on May 20, 1920 in Leicester. The daughter of a policeman, her family moved to Manchester when she was two, where by her own admission she experienced an unhappy childhood.
Driver and her sister Freda were never given any affection by their mother Nellie, and she was pushed into becoming a child star at the tender age of eight after her mother discovered she could sing. "I was the meal ticket for the entire family," she later revealed.
At 12, she was touring the UK and attending different schools every week. When Driver reached 14, she secured the leading role in the revue Mr Tower of London. George Formby later cast her in Boots! Boots!, but her scenes as a cabaret singer were left out of the final cut at the insistence of Formby's wife, Beryl, who didn't want to be upstaged.
By the age of 21, Driver finally had control of her own earnings and became a big band singer. She toured with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), regularly entertaining the troops during World War Two. She shared a dressing room with a young Julie Andrews at the Coventry Hippodrome on the night the city was was bombed by German forces.
Driver recorded her first song, 'Jubilee Baby', at the age of 14 and went on to release a number of successful records. However, an operation on her vocal chords prematurely ended her singing career.
tammyy2j
15-10-2011, 18:19
RIP a Corrie legend!
Chloe O'brien
15-10-2011, 23:44
How very very sad. Betty was a remarkable woman who we'd thought she would live forever. I know she has been off our screens for a while but we all thought she would be back making her hot pot. Her death will be a huge loss to everyone. She is going to have one hell of a send of.
LizzyBizzy
16-10-2011, 23:02
Rip.
Dennis tanner
16-10-2011, 23:31
I assume that they will do something similar to what they did for Blanche.
I just hope they do it well.
thestud2k7
17-10-2011, 02:54
RIP Betty
We lost another corrie legend
Monday, October 17, 2011
'Coronation Street' Betty Driver tribute to air tonight
Coronation Street legend Betty Driver will be honoured on screen tonight as a documentary about her life is broadcast in her memory.
The Betty Driver Story, which originally aired in February, will be repeated on ITV1 this evening at 8pm, the Manchester Evening News reports.
An ITV spokesperson told the newspaper that an announcement will be made on screen confirming that the documentary is being shown as a tribute following Driver's death.
The programme will be sandwiched between Monday night's usual Coronation Street double bill.
Driver, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams for 42 years, died peacefully in hospital on Saturday morning at the age of 91.
The actress had been suffering from ill health since May, when she was struck down with pneumonia. Betty's final appearance on screen aired towards the end of that month.
Coronation Street bosses are expected to hold a meeting today to discuss how Betty's departure from The Rovers will be explained on the show. Reports suggest that the scenes in question will air towards the New Year.
A show source told The Sun: "Our scriptwriters will ensure that Betty is written out in the best possible way. All the cast are keen to contribute to show their respect."
Meanwhile, an ITV representative said: "Everyone is very saddened by the news. Betty will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and by our viewers.
"We are currently discussing the best way to run a fitting tribute to Betty, who has been such an important part of the show for so many years."
Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has paid tribute to his late co-star Betty Driver, hailing her as a "real colossus" of the show.
Driver, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams for 42 years, passed away peacefully in hospital on Saturday following a period of ill health. She was 91.
Roache, best known for portraying Weatherfield's Ken Barlow since episode one in 1960, has now spoken of his close friendship with the actress, who was godmother to his son James.
"Betty was a loving, generous, caring person, where humour was never far away," Roache told The Sun. "She was an 'Earth mother', always happy and jolly.
"Though she never had any children of her own, it was as if we were all hers. She had so much love to give - and it was such a pure love, too. It made her perfect to be godmother to my son James, which she did brilliantly. She was the obvious - and only - choice."
He continued: "If she were here now, she'd probably be a bit embarrassed by everyone talking about her like we are. She'd be having none of it. She was a real colossus of Coronation Street, and we will all miss her dearly."
Coronation Street bosses are expected to explain Betty's departure from the soap in scenes which air towards the New Year.
I am surer she would have been a great mum and nice of Bill to have asked her to be godmother to James
Coronation Street's producer Phil Collinson has promised that the soap will give Betty Driver's character Betty Williams "a brilliant send-off".
Driver passed away peacefully in hospital on Saturday following a period of ill health. She was 91.
Coronation Street bosses are now considering how the departure of the actress's legendary character will be addressed on screen following her 42-year stint on the cobbles.
Speaking on This Morning today, Collinson said that it was too early to reveal exact details of what is being planned.
He explained: "I've only just got together this morning with some of the script department, and then we'll talk to the writers next week. But we'll do something brilliant and magnificent. We'll give her a brilliant send-off. She deserves it."
Collinson also hailed Driver as "a wonderful, joyful, brilliant lady" who had lived "a long and happy life".
Helen Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre on the show, added that she is looking forward to seeing an on-screen celebration of Betty when the scenes in question air towards the New Year.
Worth commented: "It just means all of the viewers can join in with that. Because it's not just us that's lost Betty, you know, it's all the viewers. It's all those people who have turned on over 40 years who are going to miss her. I think they can join in [with] her send-off."
ITV1 will screen a repeat of documentary The Betty Driver Story at 8pm tonight in the actress's memory.
Coronation Street star Malcolm Hebden and former cast member Beverley Callard have today joined the tributes which are pouring in for their late colleague Betty Driver.
Driver, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams for 42 years, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Saturday. She had been in hospital for six weeks.
Hebden, better known as Weatherfield busybody Norris Cole, told Daybreak this morning: "It's a very sad day for all of us, I'm afraid. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but Betty was such a central part of the show for so many years - I'm afraid we're all feeling a bit glum today."
He continued: "Betty had been a professional and very successful since she was about 14 years old. I myself remember seeing Betty as a child, singing at the Opera House in Blackpool. She was what we call a trouper. She had a smile for everyone."
Callard, who bowed out from her role as Liz McDonald earlier this year, also shared her memories of Driver on ITV1's This Morning.
She explained: "[Betty] was an absolute lady, she was an amazing actress and such a professional but also a really beautiful person… She remembered every member of cast's own children's names and would ask how they were and she really wanted to know. She just helped you all the time.
"She was first on stage when she was about 8 years old and she had quite a pushy stage mum, and I think for a little while she rebelled against that. But it was in her to perform and as long as she could keep on working, she was going to keep on working. She was very beautiful as well. She had an inner light."
Documentary The Betty Driver Story will air in between tonight's Coronation Street double bill at 8pm as a tribute to the star.
Coronation Street legend Betty Driver's funeral will take place on Saturday, it has been announced.
The popular actress, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams for 42 years, passed away last weekend following a period of ill health. She was 91.
Driver's funeral will be held at St Ann's Church in St Ann's Square, Manchester at 11.30am on Saturday.
The service will be attended by hundreds of the star's friends and colleagues who worked with her throughout her career on Coronation Street, and previously as a big band singer and film actress.
Details of speakers at the service are expected to be announced on Saturday.
Tributes have been pouring in for Driver over the past few days following the news of her passing. On Monday evening, ITV1 screened documentary The Betty Driver Story in the star's memory.
Coronation Street bosses have also promised to give the actress a "brilliant and magnificent" send-off when her departure is written into scripts in the New Year.
Family, friends and colleagues of Coronation Street star Betty Driver gathered in Manchester today for her funeral.
Hundreds of fans also gathered outside St Ann's Church in the city centre to pay their respects to the actress, who died peacefully last week at the age of 91.
Images Tweeted by Granada Reports and reporter Ben Schofield show stars of Coronation Street both past and present attending the funeral, as well as those who worked with her during her time as a big band singer and film actress.
Flowers were laid outside the church ahead of the service, which was broadcast to onlookers on a big screen outside the venue.
Coronation Street co-star Helen Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre, paid tribute to "91 glorious years of our Betty Driver", who "just wanted the whole world to be happy". She added that the Rovers Return would never be the same.
West End producer Bill Kenwright, who once played her character Betty Williams's on-screen son Gordon, said he was the "luckiest man in the world" to have worked with Driver and described her as a "big, big star, a juggernaut of love".
The hymns 'Lord Of The Dance' and 'Jerusalem' were sang by the congregation and Driver's wartime track 'The World Will Sing Again' was played into the church.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vH8GApXv9rA/TqLP-WbXdwI/AAAAAAAADwI/8jueIczQJf0/s400/band.jpg
Betty Driver's funeral took place in St. Ann's Church in Manchester this morning. There was a marching band through the streets and in St. Ann's Square, a large video screen was in place so the general public could hear the service. Cast and crew members past and present attended the funeral as did Coronation Street creator, Tony Warren.
Speakers at the service were long time friend and personal assistant, Charles Orr, and cast member Helen Worth and former cast member Bill Kenwright who played Betty's son, Gordon Clegg. Helen said "She was the ultimate professional and knew everything there was to showbusiness, including stealing your scene without any words, A perfect look timed to perfection which lit up the screen." and she is right. Betty really did steal every scene!
Bill Kenwright said "She was never ever in the most volatile of story lines. She was the bedrock of it. A juggernaut of love." and spoke of his mother-son relationship with Betty. Even near the end, when she was semi-conscious, she knew he was by her side during one of his visits.
Charles Orr recalled a recent incident where Betty brought out the inner fan of a group of young lads they encountered in a car park. "All the black hooded crows had gone and we left with this glorious sight of young men, jumping about doing high-fives. You could hear them on the phone, 'I've just met Betty Driver! I've just met Betty!' What can you say about that magic?" And magic she was, indeed.
Betty herself had planned the service and music including Tchaikovsky, Verdi, and with Lord of the Dance and Jerusalem closing off the service. There is more detail about the service and a slide show at the Manchester Evening News site and more photos at the Daily Mail.
JULIE Goodyear wants to return to Coronation Street as legendary landlady Bet Lynch for the funeral of Weatherfield icon.
Street stars past and present — including Julie — gathered for actress Betty Driver's funeral in Manchester at the weekend after she died aged 91.
And now soap bosses are working out how to give barmaid Betty — who appeared in 2,800 episodes over 42 years — a fitting send-off on screen.
A source told TV Biz: "Julie worked with Betty for 25 years and wants to be part of her exit.
"She's not coming back permanently but she's up for doing an episode.
"Nothing is set in stone yet — but a funeral with stars past and present would be really fitting.
"She deserves a tribute episode and everyone wants to honour her memory and her work."
Last week Julie, 69, paid tribute to her pal, saying: "She was a true icon and legend and a dear friend. We laughed together, we cried together.
"We never once had a cross word."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3891621/Julie-Goodyear-Ill-make-Corrie-comeback-for-Bettys-funeral.html
Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine has shared her memories of her late colleague Betty Driver, saying that it was a "pleasure" to have known her.
Driver, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams for 42 years, died peacefully in hospital earlier this month at the age of 91. Her funeral took place in Manchester on Saturday.
McAlpine, better known as Weatherfield's Fiz Stape, told This Morning today: "It was obviously such sad news for us. However, we had a real celebration for her on the weekend just gone.
"It was her funeral and it was wonderful. Helen Worth spoke and Bill Kenwright, who of course came in and played the lovely Gordon - he spoke beautifully. And they put a big screen up in St Ann's Square in Manchester, so that the fans could watch."
The actress added that plans to give Betty a fitting send-off on screen on Coronation Street in the New Year are likely to take a similar form.
"I know that they're definitely planning to do something," she explained. "Obviously I think they'll take some time to think about how to do it. It'll be similar to the celebration that we had of Betty's real life, I'm sure. I really do think so. They'll mark it in a respectful way.
"People say this about everyone, but she really was the most loving person. The Street was like her family, and she always asked how your dad was, or she'd ask people, 'How's your kids?' and she'd know all the kids' names. It was a pleasure to have known her, it really was."
Coronation Street's producer Phil Collinson recently promised that Betty's on-screen send-off will be "brilliant and magnificent".
A HOST of Coronation Street favourites will make a one-off comeback for soap legend Betty Driver’s emotional on-screen send-off.
Street boss Phil Collinson has vowed “do something brilliant and magnificent” to say goodbye to the 91-year-old actress who played Betty Williams for more than 40 years until she died two weeks ago. The roll-call of past stars is thought to include Jean Alexander (downtrodden Hilda Ogden), Julie Goodyear and Roy *Barraclough (brassy Bet Gilroy and henpecked hubby Alec), Sarah *Lancashire (dizzy barmaid Raquel Watts) and Cheryl Murray (good-time girl Suzie Birchall).
It is also understood that Everton Football Club chairman Bill Kenwright, who used to play Betty’s son Gordon, will make an *emotional on-screen announcement telling Street *residents his mum has passed away.
A Corrie source said: “It is one of the most spectacular episodes to have ever been *discussed for someone’s final farewell.”
Producer Collinson will meet *scriptwriters this week to plan Betty’s exit, to be screened next February or March.
An insider said: “Everyone loved Betty Driver and, if asked, people would no doubt jump at the chance of being brought back to pay this incredible tribute.”
The emotional scenes will be followed by a real-life farewell knees-up.
Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/10/30/corrie-plan-to-bring-back-a-host-of-former-favourites-for-betty-s-farewell-115875-23523894/#ixzz1cDi9PF64
Chloe O'brien
30-10-2011, 01:29
Oh Hilda. I loved Hilda. What about Themla Barlow
Dennis tanner
30-10-2011, 02:23
Betty's episode sounds great
Coronation Street legend Betty Driver left behind almost £1 million in her will, a report has claimed.
Probate records show that the Weatherfield veteran's total estate was worth £987,900 and stood at £938,198 after liabilities were paid, according to The Sun.
Driver, who had no children, is believed to have left her Cheshire home, car and most of her personal possessions to close friends Charles Orr and Brian Lynch.
Her cousin Rosemary Hirst and a handful of other friends also reportedly benefited from the will.
Driver passed away at the age of 91 in October last year following a period of ill health. Family, friends and Coronation Street colleagues past and present gathered for her funeral in Manchester later that month.
Coronation Street bosses are planning to give Driver's character Betty Williams "a brilliant send-off" later this year. I am sure they will do a very good job of it
Coronation Street bosses have revealed the first details of Betty Williams's send-off from the show - promising that fans will discover a long-held secret kept by the much-loved character.
Betty Driver, who played the role of Betty for 42 years, passed away in October at the age of 91 following a period of ill health. Show chiefs are now working on a fitting exit for her alter ego.
Coronation Street's producer Phil Collinson told the Daily Star that the scenes will air in three months' time - with a surprise in store for viewers.
Collinson commented: "Betty's funeral will be shown in April and the scenes will be a treat for fans as they will be a celebration of what the Street does best.
"We will be paying tribute to Betty, but behind the scenes will be the revelation of a secret she has kept hidden. I cannot tell you what it is, but it's a secret that Betty has taken to the grave with her and I can promise you that fans will be surprised.
"There is no love child or anything like that. The secret has something to do with the show's history but I am saying no more."
The newspaper also suggests that there are no plans to bring back former characters for the funeral episode.
wonder whether she had a child other than Gordon
Coronation Street executive producer Kieran Roberts has revealed that characters from the show's past will return for the funeral of Betty Williams.
Betty Driver, who had played the part since 1969, passed away in October at the age of 91. She is yet to be written out on screen.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Roberts said that old faces from Betty's 42-year stay in Weatherfield will reappear for her April send-off.
Roberts teased: "I think we've come up with a fitting exit for her. It'll be shown in the spring. It's important we get that right because she was so loved by the fans and by all of us who work on Coronation Street.
"But it will mainly be about her and saying goodbye to her with the right amount of respect and the right tone."
There had earlier this week been a newspaper report suggesting that no former characters would be brought back for the special episode.
Jean Alexander (Hilda Ogden), Julie Goodyear and Roy *Barraclough (Bet and Alec Gilroy), Sarah Lancashire (Raquel Watts) and Cheryl Murray (Suzie Birchall) have all been tipped to return.
Goodyear, who was on the Street with Driver for 25 years, has already signalled her intention to make a one-off appearance.
Producer Phil Collinson recently revealed that viewers will discover a long-held secret by the much-loved barmaid.
Chloe O'brien
27-01-2012, 22:35
Bring back Hilda. I was just thinking I can remember when Kevin & Sally lived with Mrs O when they were just daft teenagers, I'm really showing my age now :eek:
parkerman
28-01-2012, 08:35
Bring back Hilda. I was just thinking I can remember when Kevin & Sally lived with Mrs O when they were just daft teenagers, I'm really showing my age now :eek:
Even I can't remember that far back.....
Only joking, Chloe...:D
It's a pity some of Corries best loved characters have been killed off. It will be nice to see some of the old favourites back.
parkerman
28-01-2012, 09:34
It's a pity some of Corries best loved characters have been killed off. It will be nice to see some of the old favourites back.
That wouldn't stop them if they were in Eastenders.
Bill Kenwright will reprise his Coronation Street role as Gordon Clegg for Betty Williams's funeral, it has emerged.
Betty's son Gordon will return to screens in April, joining Weatherfield's residents as they gather to pay their last respects to his mother.
This Morning's soaps correspondent Sharon Marshall revealed the news on today's edition of the ITV1 magazine show.
Marshall explained: "We've got a little announcement to make about Betty and the funeral plans. Betty's funeral will be screened in April.
"There's been so many rumours in the press, but there's only one person who they've actually asked to come back - and that's Bill Kenwright, who played her on-screen son."
Kenwright, who is now chairman of Everton Football Club, first appeared on Coronation Street in 1968 and went on to have a number of stints on the Weatherfield show.
He was last seen as Gordon in 1995, but actor Geoffrey Leesley has since played the role in 2002 and 2004.
Betty Driver, who portrayed Betty for 42 years, passed away in October at the age of 91 following a period of ill health.
Coronation Street bosses have promised that Betty's exit storyline will also see the revelation of a secret that the Rovers barmaid kept for many years.
Betty Williams's send-off from Coronation Street will be centred around her wake, it has emerged today.
Inside Soap has revealed that Betty's funeral will take place off-screen, with the main action occurring when Weatherfield's residents toast her life at The Rovers after attending the service.
Digital Spy understands that a number of characters will be seen leaving for the funeral, before later returning to the pub to reminisce over Betty.
The main story will be Betty's "surprising" secret - as show producer Phil Collinson recently teased in a newspaper interview.
"We will be paying tribute to Betty, but behind the scenes will be the revelation of a secret she has kept hidden," Collinson said last week. "I cannot tell you what it is, but it's a secret that Betty has taken to the grave with her and I can promise you that fans will be surprised.
"There is no love child or anything like that. The secret has something to do with the show's history but I am saying no more."
As announced today, Bill Kenwright will be reprising his role as Betty's son Gordon for the episodes in question - but no other old faces are expected to return.
Betty Driver, who played Betty for 42 years, passed away in October at the age of 91.
Coronation Street's special goodbye for Betty Driver
Betty, who played Rovers Return hotpot favourite Betty Williams for 42 years, died in October, at 91
http://www.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article85759.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/image-21-sm-724999909.jpg
Corrie is dedicating an episode to the late Betty Driver – with her on-screen son returning to pay tribute.
Betty, who played Rovers hotpot favourite Betty Williams for 42 years, died in October, at 91 after a period of ill health.
Everton FC chairman Bill Kenwright, who played Betty’s son Gordon Clegg in 1968, will make a one-off return to say farewell following her death.
He paid a poignant tribute at her funeral describing the much-loved star as his “second mother” and a “wonderful actress”.
Corrie boss Phil Collinson was delighted that Bill would come back and screen Betty’s final farewell, which will be shown in April.
A source said: “We don’t expect it to be a morbid or sad scenario for one minute – there is talk of there not even being filming done on location for the actual funeral itself.
“It would be done in a very clever way with viewers believing that people would be off to the funeral – but the real tear-jerking scenes kick in back at the Rovers when people start to come through the doors after saying their goodbyes.
“Phil Collinson said he wanted to do something special to remember both Betty in real life and Betty the actress and we suspect he has come up with a fantastic way to do so...hankies at the ready it is being said.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article274947.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/betty-driver-pic-getty-749123810.jpg
The scenes, to be shown in April, will recall heart-breaking and funny memories as Betty’s wake gathers momentum.
Bosses also plan to reveal a jaw-dropping secret that Betty had kept for years.
The source added: “It will be a memorable finale and a lovely goodbye to a woman who was loved by just about everyone.”
I completely forgot that the actress had really died :o
Bill Kenwright has admitted that he has broken a deathbed pledge to late Coronation Street actress Betty Driver.
The theatre producer and Everton football club chairman, who last played Driver's on-screen son Gordon Clegg in the soap in 1995, said that he promised her that he would never come back to work there but has now decided to return.
Kenwright told The Sun that he visited Driver shortly before she died in hospital in October, aged 91. He said: "She was a star till the end. I went to visit her in hospital. She was in and out of consciousness.
"I whispered that if she knew it was me to squeeze my hand, and she did. I told her I'd only return to the Street if she were there, upon which she raised herself up and whispered that I dared not go back without her!"
Kenwright, who paid tribute at Driver's real-life funeral describing her as his "second mother", will make his one-off comeback for the funeral of Driver's character Betty Williams in a special Coronation Street episode next month.
The show's producer Phil Collinson recently teased that there will be a "revelation" about Betty in her funeral episode, saying: "It's a secret that Betty has taken to the grave with her and I can promise you that fans will be surprised."
Betty Driver has today been honoured with a posthumous award by the Television and Radio Industries Club. The awards ceremony was held today in the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
The Coronation Street actress, who played Betty Wiliams, was given the posthumous TV Soap Personality award, sponsored by Samsung.
Sadly, Coronation Street lost out to EastEnders in the award for TV Soap of the Year.
Dennis tanner
13-03-2012, 19:54
The strange thing is that Jack and Vera died some time ago but the actors are still alive. Wheras Betty Driver died some time ago but her character is still alive
Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has revealed the details of Betty Williams's big secret.
The ITV1 soap gives Betty an emotional send-off later this month after her son Gordon returns to Weatherfield and announces that she has passed away.
In real life, Betty Driver - who played the role of Betty for 42 years - died in October 2011 at the age of 91 following a period of ill health.
As announced earlier this year, Betty's tribute episodes will include the revelation of a long-held secret kept by the popular character.
Collinson confirmed the full storyline on This Morning today (April 2), explaining: "What they discover as they're clearing out her house is that Annie Walker, who was the landlady of the Rovers Return for the first 20 years of the show, actually bequeathed The Rovers to Betty in her will.
"Betty carried this secret and never took up this bequest. So she's left behind a bit of a bombshell, really! Certainly for Stella in terms of who owns the pub now and what happens going forward.
"But more brilliantly I think, she'll always be the longest-serving landlady of the Rovers Return by right, which I think is such a brilliant tribute to her."
Collinson promised that Betty's farewell is "brilliant and moving", adding that it was "incredible" to see Bill Kenwright reprise the role of Gordon.
He explained: "Bill had become very close to Betty since being her on-screen son - he talked about her as being another mother. He came back to say goodbye to her, and it feels so personal and raw. It was for everybody, actually, as she was a very much-loved member of the team."
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays on ITV1.
lillabet
02-04-2012, 15:57
I always thought that Newton and Ridley owned the Rovers, until Alec Gilroy purchased it,
parkerman
02-04-2012, 16:12
No. It wasn't quite like that.
Jack and Annie Walker bought the lease and moved into The Rovers Return on 4 February 1937.
Annie continued the tenancy until 1984 when she signed The Rovers Return over to her son Billy making him landlord.
The brewery, Newton and Ridley, unhappy with the way the pub was being run into the ground by Billy Walker's wayward behaviour, made him an offer he couldn't refuse for the licence. Rather than resell the licence, the brewery decided to hire a manager instead and appointed Bet Lynch who became the brewery's first single manageress of the Rovers.
The following year Newton and Ridley decided to sell the licence to the pub and offered Bet first refusal. However Bet couldn't raise the money and Alec Gilroy lent her the cash to purchase the licence allowing her to become the landlady.
Either way, Annie Walker was neither owner nor licensee at the time of her death so she couldn't have left it to anyone, let alone Betty.
Dennis tanner
03-04-2012, 16:50
No. It wasn't quite like that.
Jack and Annie Walker bought the lease and moved into The Rovers Return on 4 February 1937.
Annie continued the tenancy until 1984 when she signed The Rovers Return over to her son Billy making him landlord.
The brewery, Newton and Ridley, unhappy with the way the pub was being run into the ground by Billy Walker's wayward behaviour, made him an offer he couldn't refuse for the licence. Rather than resell the licence, the brewery decided to hire a manager instead and appointed Bet Lynch who became the brewery's first single manageress of the Rovers.
The following year Newton and Ridley decided to sell the licence to the pub and offered Bet first refusal. However Bet couldn't raise the money and Alec Gilroy lent her the cash to purchase the licence allowing her to become the landlady.
Either way, Annie Walker was neither owner nor licensee at the time of her death so she couldn't have left it to anyone, let alone Betty. The premieses could be bought and sold but at that time the licence to sell alcoholic drinks would be issue by the local Magistrates Court. Any subsiquent sales of the premises would have to go through solicitors. This revelation seems to be a nonsense.
Even if it did happen in the past about Betty owning the Rovers surely with the many changes of owners/licencees some solicitor would have checked the deeds of the premises. Seems to me yet another ploy by Collinson to bring St.Ella to the fore yet again!!!!!!
Even if it did happen in the past about Betty owning the Rovers surely with the many changes of owners/licencees some solicitor would have checked the deeds of the premises. Seems to me yet another ploy by Collinson to bring St.Ella to the fore yet again!!!!!!
absolutely, and the only way it would have gone un-noticed if it Betty had hold of Annie Walker's Will and had keptit hidden but safe
and in that case = Gordon would now have it after Betty's death, and who 'given' a viable commercial venture or property would just do nothing and not reclaim it or sell it?!
Dennis tanner
03-04-2012, 18:46
absolutely, and the only way it would have gone un-noticed if it Betty had hold of Annie Walker's Will and had keptit hidden but safe
and in that case = Gordon would now have it after Betty's death, and who 'given' a viable commercial venture or property would just do nothing and not reclaim it or sell it?!
Gordon would sell it and use it to boost the coffers of Everton CC
Gordon would sell it and use it to boost the coffers of Everton CC And god knows they need it
gordon would sell it and use it to boost the coffers of everton cc
fc ??
Dennis tanner
04-04-2012, 14:30
fc ??
Yes......:o
fc ??
Yes......:o
Darned Predictive Spooling LOL
Coronation Street fans see Bill Kenwright back on the cobbles next week as he reprises his role as Gordon Clegg for a short stint.
Gordon returns to the street with sad news to announce, arriving at The Rovers to tell the locals that his much-loved mum Betty Williams passed away during the night. Everyone at the pub is deeply saddened by their loss, realising this marks the end of an era.
In real life, actress Betty Driver - who played Betty for 42 years - died in October 2011 following a period of ill health. Kenwright was approached to make his Coronation Street return after attending Driver's funeral last year.
Here, Bill chats about revisiting the part of Gordon and what viewers can expect from next week's emotional episodes.
How do you feel about bringing Betty's son Gordon back to Coronation Street?
"To be honest with you, the whole experience has been a privilege from first minute to last. I have worked with many, many companies and productions over the last 42 years, but I have seldom met a happier, more welcoming group of people than I have at Coronation Street.
"The whole thing apart from the storyline, which is horrible because of the very sad circumstances behind it, has been an extraordinary experience for me."
Are you a regular viewer of the show?
"When I was in the show originally, I never really had the time to watch Coronation Street, and then about a year and a half ago, my best mate said to me, 'Look, if you want to watch great telly, just look at the tram crash'. I watched the tram crash episodes and I have been hooked ever since - I have never missed one single episode since then. I watch them late at night when I get back from work.
"So there is two sides to Gordon coming back to Coronation Street for me. Firstly, I'm coming back into it and that feels good, and secondly, I'm just the biggest fan of Coronation Street, and neither of them gets in the way of the other."
What was it like to be reunited with the cast?
"I still revere them - all of them. They are such good actors, they're all so good. It was a privilege on my first day of filming being reintroduced to all those people that were here all those years ago, such as Barbara Knox and Eileen Derbyshire."
Did you have any hesitation about reprising the role of Gordon?
"No, I did not have to think about it for a moment. Betty Driver left strict instructions for her funeral, and Betty Turpin has done the same. Among the instructions for Betty Driver's funeral, she wanted 'her lad' to deliver the eulogy, and I did that at her service.
"It was around the time of Betty Driver's funeral that the Coronation Street production people asked me to come back - to be part of Betty Turpin's on-screen send-off. To be honest with you, the only problem for me was time, because it's a big, big deal for me to carve out the amount of time it's taken. But it's just been smashing - I'm proud to be part of it."
How does it feel to be back in an acting role?
"I hope I'm alright, that's all I can say. There is a certain rhythm when filming Coronation Street, and I just hope I have fitted into that style. They have been very supportive of me."
How does Gordon feel about his mother passing away?
"He's devastated, absolutely devastated. The lines are really well written, and I found it very difficult to say some of those lines - you'll probably see when it comes on screen. My own mum is still alive and staying with me at the moment - she loves Corrie and she loves Betty.
"It has been upsetting in a lot of ways. I mean, I'm not acting the grief - it's hard to say the lines because she was a part of my life, a big part."
Gordon initially plans to have Betty buried in London but then changes his mind, doesn't he?
"Yes, obviously Emily and Rita try to change his mind, but then he is just bowled over by the love of Betty's friends. Gordon has decided to bury her in London so he can be close to her, but he sort of sees the selfishness of that when he sees the love that her friends have for her. She would have wanted to be buried in Weatherfield - that is where Betty called home."
Gordon gives Betty's hot pot recipe to Sean - is that one of her last wishes?
"Yes, she's left some letters - one of which he has to read out to all her friends, and one is private for Sean - of course he is elated."
We also discover that Betty is hiding a secret to do with The Rovers, don't we?
"Yes, Gordon doesn't know the secret himself until it's presented to him. It presents Gordon with a dilemma which could affect the future of his life. The storyline is great and I have always said to the Coronation Street production team that if there was a storyline about my mum Betty, I would be there for her."
Do you feel that Betty's send-off is a fitting tribute to Betty Driver?
"Do you know what, shall I tell you something, it will be impossible to give her a fitting tribute, because Betty Driver does not do death. She isn't dead to me - she transcends all that. But the producers have chosen a way of covering her passing on screen that doesn't include a big funeral.
"The scenes do include some really loving moments at The Rovers, where people reminisce and remember her life. I think that's what she would have wanted. I think Betty Driver would be smiling down up there now."
Coronation Street's Sean Tully is to be left with the huge task of continuing Betty Williams's hotpot legacy at the Rovers Return.
Next week's episodes of the ITV1 soap pay tribute to Betty as her son Gordon (Bill Kenwright) returns to the cobbles and announces that she has passed away.
Earlier this month, Coronation Street's producer Phil Collinson disclosed the full details of a long-held secret kept by Betty, which will be revealed to the local residents next week.
However, this isn't the only secret in the mix - as Betty also leaves behind her famous hotpot recipe!
Sean (Antony Cotton) is stunned when Gordon hands him a letter that Betty penned for him before her death. The note contains the full recipe, allowing Sean to make sure that the pub's signature dish continues to be served up. Can he live up to Betty's high standard?
In real life, actress Betty Driver - who played Betty for 42 years - passed away late last year following a period of ill health. Next week's episodes are a tribute to the star and her much-loved character.
Coronation Street's Gordon Clegg arrives at The Rovers with sad news to announce in tonight's (April 16) double bill of the soap.
Gordon (Bill Kenwright) has arranged to meet Rita (Barbara Knox) and Emily (Eileen Derbyshire) at the pub as the pair are planning to pay a visit to Betty, who hasn't been well recently.
However, when Gordon turns up later than planned, he's forced to break the news that Betty passed away during the night.
Everyone at The Rovers is shocked and saddened by their loss, but they draw some comfort from the knowledge that Betty died peacefully. Later, as everyone raises their glasses to the long-serving barmaid, it hits home that it's the end of an era for the pub.
In real life, actress Betty Driver - who played Betty for 42 years - passed away in October 2011. This week's episodes see the ITV1 show pay tribute to the star and her much-loved character.
Dennis tanner
16-04-2012, 19:27
Coronation Street's Gordon Clegg arrives at The Rovers with sad news to announce in tonight's (April 16) double bill of the soap.
Gordon (Bill Kenwright) has arranged to meet Rita (Barbara Knox) and Emily (Eileen Derbyshire) at the pub as the pair are planning to pay a visit to Betty, who hasn't been well recently.
However, when Gordon turns up later than planned, he's forced to break the news that Betty passed away during the night.
Everyone at The Rovers is shocked and saddened by their loss, but they draw some comfort from the knowledge that Betty died peacefully. Later, as everyone raises their glasses to the long-serving barmaid, it hits home that it's the end of an era for the pub.
In real life, actress Betty Driver - who played Betty for 42 years - passed away in October 2011. This week's episodes see the ITV1 show pay tribute to the star and her much-loved character. Are they still doing this pub ownership nonsense?:nono:
Are they still doing this pub ownership nonsense?:nono:
I sincerely hope not
parkerman
17-04-2012, 08:45
I've got my letter for the Radio Times ready.....
Coronation Street star Paula Lane has admitted that she found it tough to film Kylie Platt's reaction to Betty Williams's death.
This week's Coronation Street episodes have seen the local residents left saddened by the news that Betty has passed away. Kylie, however, has shown that she isn't affected by the loss of the long-serving Rovers barmaid.
In real life, Betty Driver - who played Betty for 42 years - died in October 2011 following a period of ill health. Coincidentally, Kylie and husband David (Jack P Shepherd) were the two characters who shared her final scene last summer.
Lane told Daybreak of filming Betty's send-off episodes: "It was really sad. That's been building for a while, because Betty died a little while back now. So it was very sad, and of course I've got to play Kylie at the same time as the type of character who didn't really care.
"That was very tough for me personally. Betty was an inspiration and she's left such a legacy on the street, so she'll always be remembered. You only have to look at that bar and you think about her instantly."
http://i2.cdnds.net/12/14/300x225/soaps_corrie_848_2.JPG
© ITV
http://i2.cdnds.net/12/14/300x225/soaps_corrie_848_1.JPG
© ITV
Lane is currently training for the London Marathon, which she is running in aid of Henshaws Society for Blind People. The 26-year-old became inspired to help the charity after meeting a young boy named Oscar, who was born blind.
She explained: "Oscar is 3 years old and I first met him when I got involved with the charity. He's the youngest toddler in the UK to use a cane and I got involved to raise awareness, because people thought that it was a toy and that he wasn't moving out of the way. Something really hit me and I thought, 'I really do need to raise more awareness of this and get the charity out there'.
"I remember a really gruelling run that I did - it was the first time that I covered about 12 miles. I finished on a hill up near my mum's house, and it was absolutely awful! But all I could think about was Oscar, and it got me up that hill."
Lane has been appearing on screen as Kylie since August 2010.
Dennis tanner
18-04-2012, 15:07
Coronation Street star Paula Lane has admitted that she found it tough to film Kylie Platt's reaction to Betty Williams's death.
This week's Coronation Street episodes have seen the local residents left saddened by the news that Betty has passed away. Kylie, however, has shown that she isn't affected by the loss of the long-serving Rovers barmaid.
In real life, Betty Driver - who played Betty for 42 years - died in October 2011 following a period of ill health. Coincidentally, Kylie and husband David (Jack P Shepherd) were the two characters who shared her final scene last summer.
Lane told Daybreak of filming Betty's send-off episodes: "It was really sad. That's been building for a while, because Betty died a little while back now. So it was very sad, and of course I've got to play Kylie at the same time as the type of character who didn't really care.
"That was very tough for me personally. Betty was an inspiration and she's left such a legacy on the street, so she'll always be remembered. You only have to look at that bar and you think about her instantly."
http://i2.cdnds.net/12/14/300x225/soaps_corrie_848_2.JPG
© ITV
http://i2.cdnds.net/12/14/300x225/soaps_corrie_848_1.JPG
© ITV
Lane is currently training for the London Marathon, which she is running in aid of Henshaws Society for Blind People. The 26-year-old became inspired to help the charity after meeting a young boy named Oscar, who was born blind.
She explained: "Oscar is 3 years old and I first met him when I got involved with the charity. He's the youngest toddler in the UK to use a cane and I got involved to raise awareness, because people thought that it was a toy and that he wasn't moving out of the way. Something really hit me and I thought, 'I really do need to raise more awareness of this and get the charity out there'.
"I remember a really gruelling run that I did - it was the first time that I covered about 12 miles. I finished on a hill up near my mum's house, and it was absolutely awful! But all I could think about was Oscar, and it got me up that hill."
Lane has been appearing on screen as Kylie since August 2010. Becky would be ashamed of her:nono:
I thought Kylie's comment about Betty's death well out of order, particularly as the actor had actually passed away. I attach no blame to Paula Lane she probably has to deliver what the powers that be dictate. The comment did absolutely nothing for the so-called storyline and obviously embarassed the actor saying it. Shame on you producers !!!!
Coronation Street's residents gather to pay their last respects to Betty Williams in tonight's (April 20) double bill of the soap.
As the day of Betty's funeral dawns, the locals are under strict instruction to treat the occasion as a celebration of her life - knowing that it's what the long-serving barmaid wanted.
Later, once the service is over, Betty's friends pour into The Rovers for her wake. Gordon (Bill Kenwright) then reads out a moving letter penned by his mum shortly before her death, which contains some fond memories and a few home truths!
Gordon also knows that he has a decision to make after Rita (Barbara Knox) and Emily (Eileen Derbyshire) reveal that it could be worth checking whether he has a claim on the pub. What will he do?
http://i2.cdnds.net/12/14/618x411/soaps_corrie_7849_1.JPG
© ITV
parkerman
20-04-2012, 07:27
Gordon also knows that he has a decision to make after Rita (Barbara Knox) and Emily (Eileen Derbyshire) reveal that it could be worth checking whether he has a claim on the pub. What will he do?
© ITV
He has no claim whatsoever on the pub! :angry:
He has no claim whatsoever on the pub! :angry:
He could be a better landlord than Stella :p
parkerman
20-04-2012, 12:28
Also, what do Rita and Emily think happened to the pub? If Annie Walker left it to Betty (even though she didn't own it at the time of her death), what do they think is the sequence of events that led to it now being owned by Stella? What do they think happened to the pub after Annie Walker died? Ironically, of course, of all the people now in Coronation Street they are two of the very few who would know the real sequence of events.
He could be a better landlord than Stella :p
One of Roy's Rolls would make a better landlord than St. Ella
Also, what do Rita and Emily think happened to the pub? If Annie Walker left it to Betty (even though she didn't own it at the time of her death), what do they think is the sequence of events that led to it now being owned by Stella? What do they think happened to the pub after Annie Walker died? Ironically, of course, of all the people now in Coronation Street they are two of the very few who would know the real sequence of events.
Thewhole storyline is preposterous in the extreme. It is IMHO yet another pitiful device to push the useless Michelle Collins into every storyline
Thewhole storyline is preposterous in the extreme. It is IMHO yet another pitiful device to push the useless Michelle Collins into every storyline
agreed - why on earth would Stella be included in the party clearing Betty's house?
Rita and Emily helping Gordon yes, they would have been to the house before - but Stella?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Ldenw9Gxw
Betty and Alec Gilroy in bed (7minutes)
parkerman
21-04-2012, 09:57
So is that it then with the "Betty owning the pub" story? Gordon's not going to pursue it. Well that was worth getting their own history wrong for!
So is that it then with the "Betty owning the pub" story? Gordon's not going to pursue it. Well that was worth getting their own history wrong for!
I watched this sorry story play out last night and at the end I just thought WTF.
It seems to me that it was yet another story designed to garner sympathy for St. Ella
Totally pointless
Chloe O'brien
21-04-2012, 18:37
What a load of tripe. Betty should be turning in her grave at the half-hearted send off they gave her. Why was there no service or faces from the past paying their respects instead of having to watch Karl/Sunita. The only good thing about last nights episode was the genuine tears that Rita, Emily & co were shedding when Ken and Gordon were making their speeches.
parkerman
21-04-2012, 19:01
Well said, Chloe.
What a load of tripe. Betty should be turning in her grave at the half-hearted send off they gave her. Why was there no service or faces from the past paying their respects instead of having to watch Karl/Sunita. The only good thing about last nights episode was the genuine tears that Rita, Emily & co were shedding when Ken and Gordon were making their speeches.
Very well said Kath. This much heralded tribute to Betty was an absolute pile of keek. It's not as if they didn't have plenty of time to give her a fitting tribute. She was an iconic character played by a distinguished actress..Her funeral was almost a sideline story to Karl and summits torrid relationship and the non story that was Betty supposedly owning the pub. Shame on you ITV
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has promised that Betty Williams's hotpot legacy will live on at the Rovers Return.
The actor's character Sean Tully recently had an accident as he tried to recreate Betty's famous dish, dropping the recipe into the hotpot mixture.
Betty had entrusted the secret recipe to Sean so that the Rovers regulars could continue to enjoy the pub's signature meal.
Cotton told This Morning today (April 25): "It appeared to have perished, but that recipe is invincible and will be back. The recipe has gone into the hotpot for the moment, but it will be back and hopefully the recipe and Betty's legendary dish will continue.
"And it will always be Betty's hotpot, not Sean's. But Sean is the keeper of the hotpot."
In real life, Betty Driver - who played Betty for 42 years - passed away in October 2011 following a period of ill health.
Dennis tanner
26-04-2012, 11:52
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Ldenw9Gxw
Betty and Alec Gilroy in bed (7minutes) No thanks:nono::sick:
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has promised that Betty Williams's hotpot legacy will live on at the Rovers Return.
That's great as long as he doesn't have to keep reminding us:crying:
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