Stars of Coronation Street say goodbye to Betty Driver

THE Rovers Return will never be the same without Betty Driver, mourners were told at her funeral yesterday, as they said a final farewell to the longest-serving screen barmaid on Coronation Street.

Stars of the long-running ITV1 soap, past and present, joined her family and friends in St Ann’s Church in Manchester, while several hundred fans watched the proceedings on a big screen outside.

Tears were shed for the much-loved actress, who died a week ago in hospital aged 91 after a period of ill health. But the theme of the day was very much a celebration of a life steeped in showbusiness.

The idea to screen the service, the choice of music and the colour of the flowers had all been meticulously planned by Driver herself, apparently since January this year.

A total of 42 years – and more than 2,850 episodes – in her role as Betty Williams (Turpin), and before that a highly successful 40 years as a singer and film star, were recalled by those giving tribute at the service: co-star Helen Worth (Gail McIntyre), theatre impresario Bill Kenwright and her personal assistant Charles Orr.

Worth said: “She was the ultimate professional and knew everything there was to showbiz, including stealing your scene without any words,” she said, to laughter. “A perfect look timed to perfection which lit up the screen.

“She never wanted it to end. Her place behind the bar at the Rovers was always kept open. The Rovers will not be the same without her.

“So how do we say goodbye to her? In the way she wanted us to do, with a smile, remembering her infectious laugh, her perfume which announced her arrival, her love of life and everyone in it and celebrate with joy the glorious 91 years of Betty Driver.”

Driver, whose character was famed for her lunchtime hotpots at the Rovers, was made an MBE in the Millennium New Year’s Honours list.