Mr Ballantyne was the owner of a Hillside Crescent semi which Alf and Audrey Roberts bought in November 1989. Due to a (very) last-minute hitch in the chain, the Ballantynes' new house hadn't been vacated, and so they had to stay put in Hillside Crescent for the time being. As the Roberts were at that moment on their way to their new home with the removal van not far behind, Mr Ballantyne had to break the news to the disbelieving couple on the doorstep.