Mrs Dobbs was a large customer who caused problems for Dot Greenhalgh in Miami Modes when she bust a zip on a size sixteen dress that was far too small for her. Dot's waspish comments to Mrs Dobbs in the dressing room caused her to make a complaint to Elsie Tanner and when she realised that the two were friends she went off to find a supervisor instead. That evening Mrs Dobbs was seen to be one of the attendees at a meeting of slimming club "Fatties Anonymous" where Stan Ogden was sent home in disgrace for putting on two pounds.