Late Coronation Street star Betty Driver has left nearly £1m in her will and the majority of her estate will be shared amongst her friends, it was revealed yesterday.

The soap legend, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty Williams, passed away last October aged 91 after a six-week battle with pneumonia.

The star, who had an estate worth £938,198 after outstanding debts were paid, had no children and distributed her possessions between her cousin Rosemary Hirst, her personal assistant Charles Orr and six other male friends, the Daily Mail reports.

At the time of her death, many celebrities paid tribute to the actress.

Julie Goodyear, who played fellow Rovers Return barmaid Bet Lynch, said: "It was an honour and a privilege to work with Betty Driver for 25 years.

"We laughed together, we cried together and never once had a cross word. She was a totally professional actress. A true icon and legend and a very dear friend."

Helen Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre in the soap, said: "I think I speak for all the cast, crew, production, everyone...everyone...we will miss her so very much. The Rovers will not be the same without her."

The actress appeared in more than 2,800 episodes of Coronation Street and received an MBE in 1999.