Emotional Sally Lindsay's tears for 'our dearest Betty' as she joins Coronation Street stars at Driver's funeral

By Sarah Bull


Emotional: Sally Lindsay and Antony Cotton looked overcome with emotion as they left the church following Betty Driver's funeral today

She was undoubtedly one of the most well-known actresses ever to have appeared on Coronation Street, and starred as barmaid Betty Williams (Turpin) for an astonishing 42 years.

So it's no wonder that many of Betty Driver's former colleagues struggled to contain their emotions at the actress' funeral in Manchester today.

Sally Lindsay, Julie Goodyear, Sue Nicholls and Antony Cotton were all seen shedding a tear as they remembered Driver, who died a week ago, during the ceremony at St Ann's Church in Manchester's city centre this afternoon.

Struggling: Sue Nicholls and William Roache appeared to be very moved by the service, which took place in Manchester

Upset: Julie Goodyear wipes her eyes with a tissue as she leaves the church after the service

A specially-erected big screen was set up outside the church so fans could see the ceremony taking place, with many of them clutching photographs of Driver.

She became the longest-serving barmaid in the history of the Rovers Return and her trademark lunchtime hot-pot became a famed dish.

What a send off: Friends and fans of Betty Driver united today at the funeral of the Coronation Street star

Final farewell: The coffin carrying the actress, who died aged 91, is carried in to the St Ann's Church in Manchester

Stars who arrived at the church to pay their respects to Driver included Michelle Keegan, who looked chic in her black dress and nude heels, and Katherine Kelly, who struggled to control her emotions as she made her way in for the funeral.

Bill Tarmey, Denise Welch, Alec Barraclough and Michael Le Vell were also seen arriving at the church.

Goodyear, who played fellow barmaid Bet Lynch between 1966 and 2003, and who arrived today wearing a pink and black outfit, had said: 'She was a totally professional actress, a true icon and legend, and a very dear friend.

'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.'

Ms Goodyear said Driver was 'the very foundation of the Rovers Return' and added: 'She will be missed and remembered by millions.'

Speakers scheduled for the service were her closest friend and personal assistant Charles Orr, Coronation Street actress Helen Worth and theatre impresario Bill Kenwright who played her Betty's screen son Gordon.

'The foundation of the Rover's Return': Julie Goodyear, who paid tribute to Driver with an emotional statement last week, waved as she arrived for the service

Looking smart: Denise Welch and Helen Worth, who did a reading at the Manchester service

Final farewell: Sally Lindsay and her costars watch and applaud as the coffin is driven away from the church

Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre in the soap, told the congregation: 'I think I speak for all the cast, crew, production, everyone...everyone...we will miss her so very much. 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.'

She said that Driver wanted her funeral to be on a Saturday so 'that all at Granada were to free to share her life, to remember her and to say goodbye to our dearest Betty'.

Tributes: Coronation Street actresses Michelle Keegan and Sacha Parkinson, as well as former star Katherine Kelly, wore black as they arrived for the service

Famous faces: Shobna Gulati, Samia Smith and Sacha Parkinson went for all-black outfits for the occasion

Worth stood in to pay tribute in place of Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan) who was unable to attend the service because of illness.

She said it was 37 years ago since 'my dearest Betty' first called her 'her child' and she added it was a title she had kept happily ever since.

'I always knew a hug was guaranteed and her last words to me when she was so ill, and it was such an effort for her to speak, were "I want you to be happy". Giving so much right to the end.

Suited and booted: Michael Le Vell and Chris Gascoyne were also seen at the church

Veterans: William Tarmey and William Roache looked deep in thought as they were photographed

'In fact, you know, Betty just wanted the whole world to be happy. She was the ultimate professional and knew everything there was to showbusiness, 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.

'Those at the Street were her family and a trip to the canteen with Betty always took a very long time,' she said.

The uplifting service was presided over by the Rev Nigel Ashworth, of St Ann's, and by one of Driver's long-standing friends, the Rev Lister Tonge.

You will be remembered: Fans gathered to pay their respects as Driver's coffin was carried in to the church

Fitting tribute: A marching band took to the streets of Manchester for the funeral

Driver had planned the service to the last detail, choosing the music, the colour of the flowers and even the idea to screen the service outside for fans.

Driver died on October 15 aged 91 after being in hospital for the previous six weeks.
She appeared in more than 2,800 episodes of Coronation Street and was made an MBE in the Millennium New Year's Honours list.

Last year, when the soap celebrated its 50th anniversary, she insisted she would never retire from the show.

She said at the time: 'I love working. I can't retire, I won't retire - I never, ever will.'

Sombre: Coronation Street stars Alison King and Antony Cotton were among the mourners at the funeral

Dressed to impress: Catherine Tyldesley looked stunning in her black dress, which she teamed with a feathered headpiece

Turnout: Sarah Lancashire, Sue Nicholls and Debbie Rush put in an appearance

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.

At the time of her death, Coronation Street executive producer Kieran Roberts said: 'Betty was a wonderful actress and remarkable woman.

'It is humbling to think that the 42 years she spent on Coronation Street was just half of her extraordinary career but Coronation Street certainly benefited when she decided to join our show in 1969.

Paying their respects: Simon Gregson, Jimmi Harkishin and Ken Morley

'For more than four decades she delighted many millions of Coronation Street fans with her fantastic performance in countless great stories both dramatic and comic.

'Betty was always a delight to work with and whilst there is a great sadness at her passing away Betty will be remembered by everyone on Coronation Street with tremendous admiration and affection.'

Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully, added: 'Today is a very sad day. I am devastated we've lost our Betty. She was one of the funniest people I've ever met and definitely the kindest. I will miss her so much. Her star shone bright and long. Sweet dreams, duck.'

And William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, said: 'I loved Betty dearly, she was not only a colleague, she was a friend and godmother to my son James. She will be missed in the Street but she will be missed more so as a warm and loving person.'


source:dailymail