Coronation Street's longest serving barmaid Betty Driver has died today at the age of 91.
Betty had played the role of Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams (Turpin) in the soap for 42 years, and was best known for her iconic dish 'Betty's hot-pot' which was served at lunch-time in the Rovers.
She had already been working in the media before Corrie, for more than 40 years touring the UK as a leading vocalist with some of the top dance bands in the country before joining the ITV soap in 1969.
She had originally auditioned for the role of Hilda Ogden in 1964.
Although she was only employed on a three-month contract, she stayed for 42 years.
An ITV spokesman said she 'died peacefully in hospital' in the early hours of this morning.
The actress had been in hospital for six weeks and had also been unwell earlier in the year and was treated for a chest infection in 2010.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here