The News of the World today quotes Betty Driver saying she'll retire from Coronation Street at the end of this year.Betty has worked on Corrie for 41 years and is the oldest cast member, she'll be 90 later this month. According to the tabloid, Betty told a close friend: "If my health holds up I want to get through this year and take a big part in the anniversary celebrations. Then my plans are to put my feet up and have a long overdue rest."
The paper also reports the good news that Betty is on the mend after her recent chest infection, although she was still too poorly to accept in person the Lifetime Achievement Award she won at last night's British Soap Awards.
Although Betty will always be remembered for her trademark hotpots, in real life she's a staunch vegetarian and once admitted: "I couldn't cook a hotpot to save my life!"