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Betty Driver: So Little Time

The story of singer and actress Betty Driver, in her own words. Bill Kenwright, who played son to Betty's character in Coronation Street, pays tribute to the much-loved actress.

Another chance to hear 'Betty Driver: So Little Time'. This is the story of singer and actress Betty Driver, told in her own words. Bill Kenwright - who played son to Betty's character in Coronation Street - pays tribute to the much-loved actress.

In her 90th year, Betty gave an interview about her life, which has never been broadcast until now. It provides Betty's own account as the thread running through this celebratory programme to mark the first anniversary of her death.

The interview was originally set up at her home in Cheshire, for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 documentary 'The Bands That Mattered'. On the day of the interview it was snowing heavily outside, so Betty filled producer Tony Staveacre in with other scenes that made up her hectic life story; a wretched childhood, a bullying ambitious mother, an alcoholic father, a failed marriage, heartache and breakdown.

But running through it all was a cheery and indomitable spirit, and a love of popular music and performing that kept her going through the dark years. In the second half of her life, Coronation Street provided Betty with the loving family that she'd never had.

The documentary features clips from ancient films, in which Betty usually played a chirpy singing waitress, and music galore - the hit songs that Betty recorded in the 1930s and sang on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ broadcasts providing the perfect soundtrack to the story of her life, including We Mustn't Miss the Last Bus Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, I'll Take Romance, What Goes on Here in My Heart, The World Will Sing Again, and So Little Time.

57 minutes

Last on

Tue 20 Oct 2015 22:00

Broadcasts

  • Mon 15 Oct 2012 22:00
  • Tue 20 Oct 2015 22:00