Corrie Stars Pay Respects To Betty Driver

Hundreds of people lined the streets outside a Manchester church to say farewell to Coronation Street favourite Betty Driver.

She was known to millions as the doughty yet motherly barmaid Betty Williams (Turpin) who's role she played for more than forty years.

Stars of the soap past and present gathered at her funeral to pay tribute.

The theatre impresario Bill Kenwright, who once played Betty's screen son Gordon, described her as "a juggernaut of love."

Actor William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow said: "She will be missed in the Street but she will be missed more so as a warm and loving person."

The 91-year-old actress died a week ago. She had appeared in over 2,800 episodes of Coronation Street but prior to joining the soap she had a long and successful career as a film star and big band singer.

Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, said Betty Driver was the most popular person on set.

"She just spoke to everybody," she said, "in fact, everybody wanted to speak to her. Nobody was left out. It could take half-an-hour to get to lunch because she gave everybody time."

Asked why she was so popular with the audience too, she said: "The audience have grown up with her. She became an important part of their lives."

Julie Goodyear, who played fellow barmaid Bet Lynch, said: "We laughed together, we cried together and never once had a cross word... A true icon and legend, and a very dear friend."

A tearful Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts, said Betty Driver would be deeply missed by the Coronation Street cast.

"She didn't put on airs and graces. She just was herself do she could talk to anybody.
"It didn't matter what strata of society you were from, she would just be herself. No posh voices, no talking down to anyone."

Among wreaths laid outside the church was one with the message: "Darling Betty, Missed and remembered, with love, all your friends at Coronation Street."

Another read: "Darling Betty, We Have Lost a Sister, Aunt and a wonderful friend to our family."

Coronation Street creator Tony Warren's message read: "For Magical Betty, With Love From Tony Warren," while another floral tribute said: "To Miss Betty Driver MBE, From Your Forever Friend. Miss Julie Goodyear MBE xxx".

TV presenter Paul O'Grady's message read: "In Memory Of A Lovely Lady. You'll Be Sadly Missed."

As Betty Driver's coffin was driven away from the church Coronation Street cast and members of the public broke into a round of applause.