Rovers Return Inn Billy first appears in Coronation Street in January 1961, but takes over The Rovers Return in 1984 after his mother Annie retires and signs the pub over to him. It doesn't last long, though, and he leaves for good in 1984, after a series of run-ins with police due to the lock-ins held after hours. Arguably the most famous barmaid on "Coronation Street", Bet Lynch was in charge of The Rovers Return for a little over 10 years. In late 1984, the brewery, Newton & Ridley, unhappy with the way the pub was being run into the ground by Billy,
Rovers Return Inn to put the pub up for sale. When former landlord Steve decides to buy back The Rovers from Stella in October 2013, he enlists the help of his mother, former landlady Liz, as he can not afford to buy the pub outright. Liz agrees to purchase 50% of The Rovers while Steve buys the remaining half with he and Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) holding the pub licence as Steve's criminal record is now spent. Steve keeps the purchase of The Rovers a secret from Michelle whom he planned to make landlady. At first, Michelle is furious with Steve for going