Mel Hutchwright (real name, Lionel Hipkiss) claimed to be the author of the romance novel, Hard Grinding. The local Coronation Street Book Club read and reviewed the book and, aside from Ken Barlow, seemed to enjoy it. Blanche Hunt especially thought it was a great read and wrote to the author via the agent, or ex-agent as it turns out. A few weeks later, Mel turned up at a book club meeting at Roy's Rolls, much to the excitement of Blanche and Norris Cole in particular. Norris invited him to stay with him and Emily Bishop but it soon became clear that Mel was a freeloading con-man with writer's block. He managed to cadge free drinks and lodging and although Ken was suspicious, it took a little longer for the rest to twig to his motives.