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)
Awww.... Good 'ol Betty!! This is why I watch Classic Corrie. Happy days, and memories of hotpots.
ReplyDeleteSx
When was the last time either of use went to a pub that served hotpot? I do remember one in Leeds in the 90s that served bread and dripping as its bar snack on a Sunday, however. Jx
DeleteCrikey, I know, I meant my Corrie memories really. The pub grub in my neck of the woods was chicken in a basket or steak sandwiches. There was one pub in the City that at the end of lunchtime would give away seriously nice roast potatoes, but waiting for them to come out would mean being late back to work. Sort of worth the trouble though!
ReplyDeleteSx
Oooo - leftover roasties! That beats a bag of chips, hands down. Jx
DeleteThe Swiss Cottage did a reasonable shepherd's pie in the 60s.But country ones were hands-down winners
ReplyDeleteShepherd's Pie and Lancashire Hotpot are similar, but not quite the same dish. A yummy enough substitute, mind you - I could eat one right now, in fact! Jx
DeletePS just found this article - Ye Olde Swiss Cottage pub used to be a country inn; then London happened.
Oh thank you for this! I was still there when they knocked the Odeon into one of those cine-plex things, which was a shame, because the old place had decent acoustic. In fact,I think I went to one of the last Big Band concerts there.Syd Lawrence, perhaps?Lovely memories. xx
DeleteWe've been to the pub and to the nearby Hampstead Theatre. I get the impression it's not just the Odeon that's been sadly knocked about a bit - the whole area is a nightmare of ugly office developments, traffic and underpasses. Shame. Jx
DeleteI do have the official 'Coronation Street' cook book and but dig it out and dust off her hot pot recipie
ReplyDeleteI look forward to that - and to you finding a floral smock dress with tie neck to wear while serving it. Jx
Delete