Tim Russell was a short-term boyfriend of Gail Potter who, along with his mate Jeff Lee, was invited to a flat-warming party in the Corner Shop flat in February 1975. The slightly comic pair were put off going when they stopped for a drink in the Rovers and overheard Annie Walker setting off for the event. Tricia Hopkins heard that they were in the pub and persuaded them to come along. Although both boys were smartly dressed in suits, Tim wore an incongruous hat which he doffed at every occasion when addressing a lady.