Author Topic: R.I.P. Betty Driver  (Read 4160 times)

celeste

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R.I.P. Betty Driver
« on: 20:11:20, 15/10/11 »
Corrie favourite Betty Driver diesBetty Driver, pictured in 2000 as she received her OBE at Buckingham Palace, has died aged 91 15 October 2011 11:19am 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 Saturday.
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, a former 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."
Goodyear said Driver was "the very foundation of the Rovers Return", and added: "She will be missed and remembered by millions."
Driver 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 Driver herself never tasted the dish as she did not eat meat.
All that's necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing

Cupcake

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #1 on: 23:03:46, 15/10/11 »
I hope they have a proper ending/funeral in the show for the character.  She was always rather splendid behind that bar, I thought.  Peacefully at 91 is nice; good for her.  :)
It's nice to be important, but it's also important to be nice.

Lin

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #2 on: 14:30:13, 16/10/11 »
Very sad, was a lovely Lady..R.I.P. Betty Driver.
Red till I'm Dead!

celeste

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #3 on: 16:29:57, 17/10/11 »
Havn't watched Coronation Street for years but I remember my mother mentioning her name because she was quite well-known before going in the soap
All that's necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing

Lin

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #4 on: 18:12:04, 17/10/11 »
Yes Betty Driver was a child star and she had worked 80 years in the business.  :)
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Cupcake

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #5 on: 23:32:29, 17/10/11 »
They had a tribute to her on tonight.  I often wonder if they look at celebs and think ahead, so they are ready like that.  Not a nice idea, is it?   :-\ 
It's nice to be important, but it's also important to be nice.

Lin

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #6 on: 09:44:38, 18/10/11 »
I think the program last night had been slightly adapted with William Roache at the beginning because I had seen the program before....just not the bits where they were referring to her as she was, if you understand me :)
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Cupcake

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #7 on: 12:00:47, 18/10/11 »
I noticed the producers of Coronation Street are planning a proper farewell storyline for the character, to be filmed and shown in a few months.   :)
It's nice to be important, but it's also important to be nice.

Lin

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #8 on: 13:51:06, 18/10/11 »
Yes I noticed that myself. O0
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Cupcake

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #9 on: 16:03:23, 18/10/11 »
I suppose it'll have to be a funeral really, but I did fleetingly think of that young actress in Holby City (I think it was) who fell to her death from a balcony and they wrote out her character as having won the Lottery and gone off to live in the sunshine with a nice bloke.  Possibly not for Betty....
It's nice to be important, but it's also important to be nice.

Lin

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #10 on: 17:35:27, 18/10/11 »
I at first assumed they would put it in the program that she was off seeing her son and maybe decide to stay, but that would not be the brilliant send off they say they are going to do for he.  :)
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Cupcake

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #11 on: 23:00:20, 18/10/11 »
I think they have to give cast and fans alike the opportunity to lay the character to rest.  Much as they did with Jack and Vera.  They might tempt Hilda or Bet back to pay respects.
It's nice to be important, but it's also important to be nice.

Lin

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #12 on: 09:34:39, 19/10/11 »
Yes they may get some people back, would be nice.  :)
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Ann

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #13 on: 13:23:18, 19/10/11 »
A great actress, will be missed by all fans of Corrie
R.I.P Betty

Cupcake

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Re: R.I.P. Betty Driver
« Reply #14 on: 14:48:12, 19/10/11 »
Hello Ann!  :)  Corrie fans always especially welcome round here!  ;) 
It's nice to be important, but it's also important to be nice.