She certainly was quite the glamour-puss in her day...
We have a centenary to celebrate today, dear reader - none other than everyone's favourite "Hotpot Queen" herself, Betty Turpin (later Williams) from Coronation Street, aka the lovely Betty Driver, born on this date in 1920.
Long before Corrie was even a twinkle in Tony Warren's camp little eye, however, "Our Betty" had a very different career path in mind. Having been pushed by her domineering mother into talent contest after talent contest, revue show to revue show, young Betty ended up a child singer on on BBC radio, as a singer-actress in some minor Ealing films, and eventually landed a career during the war as a Big Band vocalist - often appearing with Henry Hall.
Here she is, trilling beautifully:
...and here's her biggest "hit":
Of course, it is for her role as the ever-reliable (and longest-serving) barmaid at "The Rovers Return" that she will forever be remembered. But, it seems, her wartime singing talents never left her!
Facts:
- She originally auditioned for the role of "Hilda Ogden" in Corrie, but the producers wanted someone more "slightly-built".
- Betty and her sister Freda ran a real-life pub in Derbyshire for many years before soap stardom beckoned.
- Originally, Betty was told her character would only appear in six episodes but she went on to appear in 2,800.
- Most famous for her catchphrase "Hotpot, Ken?", apparently in real life she was an ardent vegetarian and would never have cooked nor eaten it.
We loved her.
Betty Driver (born Elizabeth Mary Driver, 20th May 1920 – 15th October 2011)
0 Yorumlar