Before she moved to Weatherfield, Frankie Baldwin had an affair with Vinny Evans, factory boss in Chingford, husband Danny's employer and godfather to her stepson Jamie Baldwin. She broke off their relationship as she was ashamed of her actions, having only been with Vinny in revenge against Danny for his years of philandering however Vinny followed her up north and begged her to come back to him. Frankie was torn between the two men but ultimately decided to stay with Danny although she laid down the law to him about his cheating ways.
A couple of weeks later, the Baldwins were surprised to receive a visit from DC Lee of Essex Police, who told them that Vinny had been the victim of a vicious assault with a baseball bat and hospitalised two days previously - when Danny had done a disappearing act. Vinny was unconscious and the police were unable to interview him but one of Vinny's associates knew of his affair with Frankie. Frankie was immediately suspicious of Danny and the two argued but he managed to convince her of his innocence. They were both shocked a week later when DC Lee returned and arrested Jamie as Vinny had named him as his assailant. Danny visited Vinny to ask him to drop the charges. He then showed a seedy side to his nature when he offered to carry out Danny's wishes if he could sleep with Frankie one more time. When this was naturally refused, Danny had another deal - all the profit from the sale of his large house in Chingford. This was accepted and Frankie was depressed to discover that they were trapped into living in a terraced house in Coronation Street and not in the style to which she was accustomed.