wonder whether she had a child other than Gordon
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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.
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.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Chloe O'brien
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.
That wouldn't stop them if they were in Eastenders.Quote:
Originally Posted by alan45
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
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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.”
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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