Betty Driver Dies, aged 91

I am breaking my spoiler code outright because I'm very sad this morning to find out that Betty Driver has died at the age of 91. Betty played Betty Turpin Williams for 42 years and spent most of that time behind the bar at the Rovers Return. Her obituary is here.  BBC News says she's been in the hospital for 6 weeks and died peacefully in her sleep.

There are cast tributes pouring in as you would expect. The Coronation Street blog has some of them here and more of them here.  Julie Goodyear who played Bet Lynch, said Driver was "the very foundation of the Rovers Return. 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. She will be missed and remembered by millions."

Barbara Knox, who plays Rita,  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."

Betty always said she would never retire from Coronation Street, they'd have to take her out feet first and that's pretty much what happened, more or less. Although she was ill she never did officially retire.  She appeared in over 2800 episodes and was awarded the MBE. 

I think my favourite Betty scenes recently where those where she was comforting Claire in the back room after Ashley died. Betty also had a wonderful way of cutting someone down to size with a sharp observation. She was wonderful, when she was all in a huff, all heaving bosoms and blouses and scolding someone with that baleful glare over her glasses. We knew this day would come but it doesn't make it any less difficult. Rest in Peace, Betty!