Betty Driver grateful for Corrie setback

Betty Driver has admitted that she is glad she missed out on the chance to play Hilda Ogden on Coronation Street.

The actress auditioned for the iconic Weatherfield character in 1964, but missed out when the part went to Jean Alexander.

Driver - who landed her current role as Rovers favourite Betty Williams five years later - has now confessed that things worked out for the best.

Speaking to the Radio Times, she explained: "They wanted someone thinner, which was a relief, because I couldn't have lived my life in curlers.

"And I wouldn't have liked being called Hilda by people in the street. I was so lucky they decided to call Betty by my name."

Driver will reflect on her time at Coronation Street and wider career in forthcoming ITV1 special The Betty Driver Story, which airs on February 1 at 8pm.