She quickly departs with the explanation she has moved away (actress Patricia Phoenix was also rumoured to have told Goodyear to return to the programme when she gained a little more acting experience). Bet returns in 1970, when she shares a flat with Irma Barlow (Sandra Gough), who put a down payment on it with the help of Len Fairclough (Peter Adamson) and Ray Langton (Neville Buswell). Bet begins work as a barmaid at the Rover's Return. The earlier incident with Lucille is not mentioned again and the two became good friends. Casting Actress Julie Goodyear was offered the supporting role of Bet Lynch for a period of six weeks by Lucy Clayton, which she took without hesitation. Goodyear was convinced that she would continue in the role on a permanent basis and was shocked when they let her go at the end of her originally contracted period. When Goodyear filmed a part for a drama series called Family at War, the director June Howson complimented her and said she was impressed. Howson later went on to produce Coronation Street and offered Goodyear a six-month contract to reprise her role as Bet, which she took up. She then became a permanent cast member. After 25 years in the role, Goodyear quit the role in 1995 and the character departed in October that year. According to an interview with Goodyear on Piers Morgan's show You Can't Fire Me, I'm Famous, she wanted to leave on a high whilst the character was still fondly regarded. There was considerable media interest in her departure, with some tabloids speculating that the show might not survive such a high-profile departure. Over 18 million viewers watched Bet's departure. In the years following Bet's departure, ratings for Coronation Street started to become overtaken by rival soap EastEnders, with long-term views complaining that storylines in Weatherfield were becoming increasingly depressing. In 2002, producer Kieran Roberts was keen to help the show return to its original roots and bring back a character from the 'golden era' of the show. Julie Goodyear was offered a one year contract to reprise the character and Bet returned to Weatherfield in June 2002 for Betty's retirement party at the Rovers. Offscreen, Goodyear struggled with the increased shooting schedule of the show and, amidst unconfirmed reports of 'diva' like behaviour, quit after 17 days of filming on the advice of her doctor who diagnosed