The character arrived in Coronation Street to help her sister Maggie Cooke (Irene Sutcliffe) run the corner shop, and since then had a number of storylines which saw her become twice widowed, and mother to an illegitimate son.

[4] Driver has commented, "Harry Kershaw, producer of Coronation Street, persuaded me to audition for Hilda Ogden – just think I could have been wearing curlers for 30 years.

[5] Driver was distressed by the rumour, and assured producer Phil Collinson of her intention to remain with the soap, and was told that Betty was very much a part of plans for the series' upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.

During World War II, she had an affair with serviceman Ted Farrell (Gerald Sim), resulting in a son, Gordon (Bill Kenwright; Geoffrey Leesley).

Ted left her to return to his family and Gordon was adopted by Betty's sister Maggie (Irene Sutcliffe) and her husband Les Clegg (John Sharp).

Cyril's employment as a policeman causes Betty problems when Keith Lucas (David Webb), a man he has previously arrested, begins stalking her.

Betty is mugged in 1982 by Raymond Attwood (Joe Searby) from Ken Barlow's (William Roache) youth club; she ends up in hospital with a broken arm.

Betty acts as lady mayoress alongside mayor Alf Roberts (Bryan Mosley) when his wife Audrey (Sue Nicholls) has no interest in fulfilling her civic duties.

Feeling that Caroline does not want her there, Betty considers moving into a retirement home; however, she is convinced to stay in Weatherfield by her close friend Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire).

[8] Around the time of Betty's 40th anniversary at The Rovers Return, she is sacked by new manager Poppy Morales (Sophiya Haque) after clashing with her on several occasions.

During the tram crash of December 2010, Betty comforts Claire Peacock (Julia Haworth) after her husband Ashley (Steven Arnold) is tragically crushed to death by the rubble.

Betty is last seen in May 2011, trying in vain to stop David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Kylie Platt (Paula Lane) from coming behind the bar to speak with Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly).

On 16 April 2012, Emily and Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) arrange to visit a convalescing Betty and go to meet Gordon, who has agreed to drive them there.

This photo was destroyed during a fire at The Rovers Return in March 2013 started by Karl Munro (John Michie) but, following the refurbishment, Rita managed to obtain an identical copy which remains hanging on the wall in the same place to this day.

Discussing her evolving characterisation, Little writes: "She hasn't always been the incarnation of lovable joviality: when she arrived in the Street in 1969, she was loud, brash and a vicious-tongued gossip.

There have been moments of drama, intrigue and even romance – but it has been her presence behind the bar, cutting up pieces of lamb and chunks of potato, that has endeared her to the viewers.

She was fired by Annie Walker (Doris Speed), who accused her of theft, and she quit her post in 1995 when Jack (Bill Tarmey) and Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) took over as landlords.

[13] ITV described Betty as a "lynchpin" of the soap opera, stating that: "She's as much a part of Coronation Street as the cobble stones.

[17] During her time on Coronation Street, the character became famous for her signature dish at the Rovers Return Inn, Betty's hotpot.

[18] The idea for the range originated with the firm's marketing director, Dilys Day, who explained: "I was brought up on hotpot and Coronation Street.

"[19] Driver discussed her astonishment at the general level of interest in her character's hotpots, disclosing: "I was on a cruise on the QE2 a few weeks ago, and everyone was asking me about it.

"[18] In 2007, Liverpool Daily Post editor Larry Neild was selected to join Liverpool's 'Health is Wealth' commission, researching the effects of food deprivation on poor health, after writing a scathing column in which he suggested that the commission's chairman, Sue Woodward, chief executive of ITV Granada, should set a good example in Coronation Street by banning Betty's hotpot.

The video hailed the brief return of Coronation Street favourite Hilda Ogden, who had not been seen in the soap since 1987; Betty travelled to meet her at her new home.

A spokesperson for Granada Television commented, "It shows what happens when Betty [Williams] goes up to visit Hilda Ogden at her home in Derbyshire.