Jean Wilkins was one of three women who went to an after-hours drinking session at the Rovers at Billy Walker's invitation in 1974. Billy and Len Fairclough had organised the private bash to cheer Ken Barlow up after the breakdown of his and Janet Barlow's marriage but it was a surprise to Ken and Len when Jean, Gaynor Burton and Maureen Hicks walked in, and Billy encouraged them to pair off, but warned them to keep their mucky hands off Jean as she was his. Jean spent the night in Billy's company and he drove her home at 3.00am, along with the other women.