Joan Akers was a disturbed young woman who, after her own child died at the age of just three weeks old, kidnapped Christopher Hewitt in October 1962. Her husband, Brian, left her in August 1961 after finding out she was pregnant and she was now alone in the world.
She had been a contemporary of Linda Tanner prior to her marriage to Ivan Cheveski as they'd worked together at Elliston's Raincoat Factory and, having met her mother in the street, invited Elsie Tanner to visit her at her digs at 46 Percy Street, starting to feel more and more guilty about her actions. Elsie instantly recognised Christopher and persuaded her to return the child. Harry Hewitt erupted in anger at the distraught girl but Concepta was just relieved to have her son back. The police arrested Joan on the spot and took her away.
- At the time of appearing in Coronation Street, Anna Cropper, playing Joan, was married to William Roache (Ken Barlow).