Four years later, Frank returns as a permanent character with his wife Chrissy (Eithne Brown) and children, renting No.7 from Harry Cross (Bill Dean). Frank is promised a desk job at his lorry firm but they do not offer him the position. He travels to London to sort the problem out, but his lorry is stolen and he faces disciplinary action. Frank decides to upscale and buys the more spacious No.5 in 1989, following its repossession from Sheila Grant (Sue Johnston). Frank later attends a funeral where he meets Lyn McLoughlin (Sharon Power). The pair form a close bond and begin a relationship, following the end of his marriage to Chrissy in 1991. Frank and Chrissy's children continue living at the house with him, although Sammy (Rachael Lindsay) moves out in 1992.