Today we raise a glass, doff our caps, and bow deeply (though not simultaneously) to the nation's favourite fictional barmaid, the one and only Betty Williams.
88 years old today, Betty Turpin/Williams has been a fixture in Coronation Street since 1969. Played by Betty Driver, she's one of the Street's best comic characters, always ready with a pithy put-down, always delivered with brilliant comic timing, as Rob James-Collier said in a recent interview: "She'll have no more than a couple of lines in a scene, but she'll steal it off all the other actors with just a comedy reaction. It's simple, and also fantastic!"
Read more: Betty Turpin character study
Betty in our top 50 favourite characters countdown
Betty's hotpot recipe!
Betty staying in Coronation Street
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Let's not forget one of the greatesr running jokes in Corrie stems from her: namely not being aware that Sean is gay, despite all the telltale signs. Always leaves me in stitches.
Eighty - eight today?? Absolutely wonderful, Betty, a very Happy Birthday to you. You are indeed an inspiration!
Good to see that Betty is still on Coronation Street at the grand old age of 88. She is older than legendary Rovers Landlady Annie Walker (Doris Speed) when she left Coronation Street at the age of 84.
P.S - I do hope they bring Bet Lynch and Gordon Clegg (played by Bill Kenwright) back when Betty does finally leave Coronation Street. A tribute that will be much deserved.
Betty has long been one of my favourite Corrie characters. As Rob James-Collier says, she steals scenes with one line or facial reaction and and I love her to bits. I know she's getting older and doesn't appear as much these days, but I feel that the Rovers is a brighter place when she's there.
Happy Birthday Betty xxx
Lets hope she has a big street party for her 90th!!