Corrie stars remember Betty - Sky News

5:57am UK, Saturday October 22, 2011

Family and friends of veteran Coronation Street actress Betty Driver are expected to pay their respects alongside stars of the soap at her funeral.

The actress, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams (previously Turpin) for 42 years, died in hospital last week.

The actress had been in hospital for six weeks when she died peacefully.

She had been unwell earlier in the year and was treated for a chest infection in 2010.

Fellow Coronation street stars past and present paid tribute after her death.

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, fellow 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, whose funeral is taking place in Manchester, was awarded the MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List of 2000.