The Man in Rovers patronised the Rovers Return when Liz McDonald was working her first shift as a barmaid there in 1990. He bought a packet of nuts, a drink and one for Liz, which she decided to have later. When the man made a couple of appreciative glances in Liz's direction, Jim McDonald appeared out of nowhere to defend her, telling the man to keep his eyes off his wife and sit quietly in the corner. As Jim manhandled the punter over to a table, Alec Gilroy watched the scene in horror, fearing Jim's gallantry would empty the bar of customers.