‘Coronation Street’ actress Betty Driver dies aged 91 ~ Bollywood Media

London: Actress Betty Driver, who starred in the British soap opera `Coronation Street` for 42 years, passed away today, aged 91.

Driver, who was admitted to hospital six weeks ago, played Betty Turpin, barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn and appeared in more than 2800 episodes of the serial, reported Daily Mail. Driver, who was the third-longest-serving cast member had vowed never to retire from the show.

Actress Julie Goodyear, who played fellow barmaid Bet Lynch, visited Driver in her final days.

"She was a totally professional actress, a true icon and legend, and a very dear friend. We laughed together, we cried together and never once had a cross word. She will be missed and remembered by millions," Goodyear said.

Driver married South African singer Wally Peterson and went to South Africa, but came back after a few months and ended the marriage after seven years.

The veteran actress was known for her cheery personality but talked about her loveless childhood in an interview last year.

"We never got a kiss. We never got a present, nothing. My mother was so strong that my dad just gave up. He was a sweet person but he just gave up. She was so domineering there was nothing you could do about it. It was a very, very sad little life, me and my sister, you know," Driver had said.