[jackbell]

Well, well ...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3...-revealed.html

[Time_Meddler]

I think this is a really nice surprise. It is something happy, and not the traditional 'love child' reveal that they could easily have done. It also explains why Betty worked to such a late age, looking after her 'present' from Annie.

However

If Betty really was the owner, this raises a few questions. When her best mate Bet was desperate to buy the Rovers, why did Betty not give it to her? Also, at one point, the Rovers was to be rebranded 'The Boozy Newt' when Natalie Barnes wanted to sell, so why did Betty not step in then?

[Fudd]

Originally Posted by Time_Meddler

I think this is a really nice surprise. It is something happy, and not the traditional 'love child' reveal that they could easily have done. It also explains why Betty worked to such a late age, looking after her 'present' from Annie.

However

If Betty really was the owner, this raises a few questions. When her best mate Bet was desperate to buy the Rovers, why did Betty not give it to her? Also, at one point, the Rovers was to be rebranded 'The Boozy Newt' when Natalie Barnes wanted to sell, so why did Betty not step in then?

They have to be doing something convoulted with Annie Walker and Newton and Ridley. Maybe Annie bought it off Newton and Ridley after Billy's bungle but allowed them to be the suppliers? But then...surely Betty knew about it as I assume this suprise is going to appear in her will? If it was unknown to Betty I could understand it slightly more.

TBH they want to give Betty (rightly) a nice send off but haven't thought it through.

[k9fan]

Spoiler

"What they discover as they're clearing out her house is that Annie Walker, who was the landlady of the Rovers Return for the first 20 years of the show, actually bequeathed The Rovers to Betty in her will.
"Betty carried this secret and never took up this bequest. So she's left behind a bit of a bombshell, really! Certainly for Stella in terms of who owns the pub now and what happens going forward.
"But more brilliantly I think, she'll always be the longest-serving landlady of the Rovers Return by right, which I think is such a brilliant tribute to her."

- but it hadn't been Annie Walker's to bequeath. It was still Newton & Ridley's at that time.

Honestly, the scriptwriters must think we are daft or forgetful or both.

[eastendersguy95]

what about when they fired her a few times she would have said something

[dazza89]

Ok seriously were the canteen staff working on storylines when this idea was approved.

[KornerKabin]

It's all just ridiculous.

[priscilla]

i thought the secret was gonna be better than this
but maybe the wanted a happy secret and something that would keep betty in the rovers even though she has gone.

[dazza89]

As much as I like Betty has it been explained where Betty has been as from what I have seen no characters have asked about her absense, Stella hasnt even met the women. I'm pleased that Corrie are giving her a send off but it seems a bit stupid that she is ignored for months then she will die and everyone will grief about how much they miss her (even though they havent asked about why she hasnt been at work) then a few episodes later she will be forgotton until the odd mention if she is lucky.

[MisterRoo88]

Spoiler

How on earth did the Rovers get sold on so many times then?

[Dr K Noisewater]

I dont like this twist at all. As other have said it doesnt make sense, Annie never owned the pub in the first place she leased it from the brewery so couldnt possibly have left it in her will. And why would Betty have stood by and watched a broken Bet (her best friend) depart the street in such sad circumstances in 1995 when she secretly owned the pub. Why allow the Boozy Newt to take over in 2000? Why did she act so hurt on the various occasions she was sacked from the pub - she could have returned anytime she liked. And even if she didnt want to the pressure of running the pub did she not worry about Steve, Fred, Natalie Jack & Vera etc (all her friends) wasting their money buying a place they had no legal claim to.

I can see where the writers are coming from trying to do something nice for Betty but i just dont like it. It doesnt ring true!

[jackbell]

Corrie has a whole 50 years of plot holes and inconsistancies - even the physical dimensions of the pub is wrong.

I think you have to go with the spirit of the thing rather than the reality.

They all ghosts anyway. Ken, Rita, Emily, Betty all died years ago.

There is no Coronation Street anymore, just a block of council flats there now.

Think about the last episode of Ashes to Ashes and the Rovers as the Railway Arms.

[Fudd]

Originally Posted by Dr K Noisewater

I dont like this twist at all. As other have said it doesnt make sense, Annie never owned the pub in the first place she leased it from the brewery so couldnt possibly have left it in her will. And why would Betty have stood by and watched a broken Bet (her best friend) depart the street in such sad circumstances in 1995 when she secretly owned the pub. Why allow the Boozy Newt to take over in 2000? Why did she act so hurt on the various occasions she was sacked from the pub - she could have returned anytime she liked. And even if she didnt want to the pressure of running the pub did she not worry about Steve, Fred, Natalie Jack & Vera etc (all her friends) wasting their money buying a place they had no legal claim to.

I can see where the writers are coming from trying to do something nice for Betty but i just dont like it. It doesnt ring true!

Annie did own the pub; she left it to her son Billy who then sold it back to the brewery.

[Creamtea]

Originally Posted by k9fan

Spoiler

"What they discover as they're clearing out her house is that Annie Walker, who was the landlady of the Rovers Return for the first 20 years of the show, actually bequeathed The Rovers to Betty in her will.
"Betty carried this secret and never took up this bequest. So she's left behind a bit of a bombshell, really! Certainly for Stella in terms of who owns the pub now and what happens going forward.
"But more brilliantly I think, she'll always be the longest-serving landlady of the Rovers Return by right, which I think is such a brilliant tribute to her."

- but it hadn't been Annie Walker's to bequeath. It was still Newton & Ridley's at that time.

Honestly, the scriptwriters must think we are daft or forgetful or both.

On crack more like it to expect us to believe this load of b@llocks.

[Uncle Quentin]

I'm seriously lolling at this long-awaited 'Betty Secret' .... !!

Appreciate the sentiment involved chaps, but this ridiculous idea has more holes than a string vest.

If this was the best they could muster after months of plotting, then no wonder the same people think Anthony Cotton is so wonderful.

Ludicrous.

[Hound of Love]

Originally Posted by Uncle Quentin

I'm seriously lolling at this long-awaited 'Betty Secret' .... !!

Appreciate the sentiment involved chaps, but this ridiculous idea has more holes than a string vest.

If this was the best they could muster after months of plotting, then no wonder the same people think Anthony Cotton is so wonderful.

Ludicrous.

Agreed 100%

[jackbell]

I wonder if Betty Driver knew about this idea before she died?

Or would it be far too insensitive to share with her?

[rasbo]

Why can't there be a secret son called....Den Watts

[Time_Meddler]

Could a possible suggestion be that Annie owned the Rovers, wrote her will giving the Rovers to Betty, but then Billy unlawfully sold it. Betty just didn't exercise her rights over the pub because her friend Bet took over. She may not have laid claim to the pub?