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 makes him an offer he cannot refuse for the licence. Rather than re-sell the licence, the brewery decides to hire a manager and Bet applies, despite the fact that she thinks she has little chance, as the brewery normally favours married couples. She is astounded, though, to be told by Dame Sarah Ridley that the "regulars" at the pub have signed a petition insisting she be given the job. In 1985, she becomes the brewery's first single manageress and the first ever manageress of The Rovers. A year later, she is almost immediately put under threat as The Rovers is