View Full Version : The Betty Driver Story
Betty Turpin has been serving her legendary hotpot in the Rovers Return for over 40 years and this hour-long special tells her incredible life story.
Narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, The Betty Driver Story looks at her life before and during Coronation Street – as a singer, a variety star, a leading lady and a television actress.
Betty was a child star in the 1930s and appeared in feature films and radio shows of the day, entertaining the troops during the Second World War, before getting her own TV series in the 1950s.
In this documentary she talks about her nine decades in show business. She recalls her difficult life as a child star, how her marriage ended in disaster and the moment she suffered a career-threatening injury during the filming of a TV show, which led to her decision to retire from entertainment and run a pub instead.
We also hear how Betty first auditioned for the role of Hilda Ogden before appearing in Coronation Street as Betty Turpin in 1969 – a role which has helped turn ‘hotpot’ into a world-famous dish.
Forty one years and 2,830 episodes later, the programme follows Betty as she films her latest scenes at the Granada TV studios.
There are also contributions from fellow Coronation Street stars including William Roache, Julie Goodyear, Helen Worth, Sue Nicholls and Antony Cotton, and Corrie star turned impresario Bill Kenwright, who played Betty’s son Gordon in the long-running series.
The Betty Driver Story is produced by Sarah Cain. The executive producers are Nick Broughall and Mark Robinson.
ITV
Chloe O'brien
22-01-2011, 21:24
When is this going to be shown.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011, 8:00PM - 9:00PM on ITV1
ITV website
Coronation Street star Betty Driver has claimed that her early success meant she became a "meal ticket" for her family.
The actress, who has played Betty Williams for 40 years, revealed that her dominant mother never showed her any affection and she believes pushed her into the entertainment industry because of her own failures.
"We never got a kiss," she told Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. "We never got a present, nothing. My mother was so strong that my dad just gave up. He was a sweet person but he just gave up.
"I think she always wanted to be on the stage and never really achieved anything. And that was the nearest thing - bunging me on, a little girl.
"I was the meal ticket for the entire family. My mother, my father, my grandma, my granddad, my aunts, everyone. They all had a nice little share of my money."
Driver also admitted that she can't cook hot pot like her character famously does: "No, I'm dreadful - I'm a terrible cook. I'm rubbish in the kitchen."
DS
Betty Driver has admitted that she is glad she missed out on the chance to play Hilda Ogden on Coronation Street.
The actress auditioned for the iconic Weatherfield character in 1964, but missed out when the part went to Jean Alexander.
Driver - who landed her current role as Rovers favourite Betty Williams five years later - has now confessed that things worked out for the best.
Speaking to the Radio Times, she explained: "They wanted someone thinner, which was a relief, because I couldn't have lived my life in curlers.
"And I wouldn't have liked being called Hilda by people in the street. I was so lucky they decided to call Betty by my name."
Driver will reflect on her time at Coronation Street and wider career in forthcoming ITV1 special The Betty Driver Story, which airs on February 1 at 8pm.
Coronation Street's Betty Driver wants to have a scene with William Roache - as she has never had one.
The actress has played hot pot-making barmaid Betty Williams since 1969, while William has starred as Ken Barlow since the first episode of the soap.
She told the TV Times: "Do you know, I've never done a scene with Bill Roache in 41 years? Ken Barlow has only ever come into the Rovers and asked me for a pint. And I love Bill. Maybe it's time they put us in a scene together."
The 90-year-old actress, who claims not to have considered retiring, is the focus of a one-off ITV1 show, The Betty Driver Story, which celebrates her career.
She has revealed the programme came about after she and a friend came up with the idea.
She told the magazine: "We suggested it to ITV. Hopefully, people will enjoy it - it's really only the tip of the iceberg of everything I've done."
PA
Betty Driver has been rushed to hospital.
The 90-year-old actress, who has played barmaid Betty Williams in Coronation Street for 42 years, is believed to be suffering from pneumonia only a year after being hospitalised for a chest infection.
A Coronation Street spokesperson said: "Betty has been taken to hospital. We are all wishing her a speedy recovery."
An industry insider told the Daily Express: "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."
Another source told The Sun: "Obviously we are all worried because Betty is such a huge part of the show. She's an absolute trouper and still turns up for work and puts in a flawless performance. We've all sent our love and best wishes and are hoping for the best."
The star has previously said that she would be "foolish" to quit her job on Corrie, adding: "It's working so hard that keeps me young."
:( Hope she recovers quickly
so sad to hear that she's ill :( i loved the betty driver tv show :(. hope she gets better soon.
CORRIE legend Betty Driver will not leave hospital until at least the weekend.
Betty, 90 - the Street's Betty Williams - was rushed in with pneumonia earlier this week.
Several cast members are already believed to have visited. A show source said: "She's a feisty old thing and is battling like a woman half her age." :thumbsup:
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3578077/Corries-Betty-Driver-fights-on.html#ixzz1MCm0suGo
Chloe O'brien
15-05-2011, 00:48
Good that she's on the mend. I was worried that Betty would die when I heard she had pneumonia. I hope she makes a speedy recovery.
STREET legend Betty Driver was still in hospital last night, recovering from a bout of pneumonia.
Pals had the hoped the actress, who plays Betty Williams, would be out by the weekend.
They are now crossing their fingers that she will be out by her 91st birthday on Friday.
One said: "Betty's an old lady so is being kept in for observation. She's in good spirits."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3581973/Corrie-legend-Betty-is-on-mend.html#ixzz1MUJ4EbX9
Coronation Street star Betty Driver has revealed that she is looking forward to returning to work.
The actress, who has played Betty Williams for 42 years, was speaking as she celebrated her 91st birthday at the private Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, Stockport, surrounded by cards and flowers from both well-wishers and co-stars.
Driver was admitted to the hospital earlier this month with pneumonia.
According to The Mirror, she said: "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."
Upon being presented with an eight-inch deep Hotpot Cake, she joked: "We don't serve them like that in the Rovers Return - it's smashing."
Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts, added: "It's a delight to see Betty looking so well, that's the best present for all her fans and friends."
Good news :)
Chloe O'brien
22-05-2011, 12:48
It is good news. Glad to know that Betty is on the mend, let's hope it's not to long before she's back behind the bar at the Rover's
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