Roache remembers 'Corrie colossus' Driver

Bill Roache has paid tribute to fellow Coronation Street legend Betty Driver, who passed away over the weekend, aged 91.

The actress, famous for playing barmaid Betty Turpin for 42 years, died "peacefully" in hospital on Saturday.

Now Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since the show began, has branded Driver a "real colossus of Coronation Street" who will never be forgotten.

He says, "Betty's death was incredibly sad news - though not entirely unexpected.

"Betty was a loving, generous, caring person, where humour was never far away. She was an 'Earth mother', always happy and jolly.

"Though she never had any children of her own, it was as if we were all hers. She had so much love to give - and it was such a pure love, too.

"It made her perfect to be godmother to my son James, which she did brilliantly. She was the obvious - and only - choice. And as for a favourite memory, I'll just remember her coming in each day, knocking on my door with a cheery 'Hello'.

"If she were here now, she'd probably be a bit embarrassed by everyone talking about her like we are. She'd be having none of it. She was a real colossus of Coronation Street, and we will all miss her dearly."

Meanwhile, Corrie bosses are planning to pay tribute the beloved star in an upcoming episode, which will also see her written out of the soap.