Joiner Dave Barton came to Tracy Barlow's rescue when she accidentally set the frying pan on fire at 1 Coronation Street in April 1990. A builder in Maurice Jones's employ, Dave was working across the street at No.4 and was subsequently hired by Deirdre to put in a new kitchen at No.1. In doing so, he struck up a friendship with Deirdre and took her and Tracy out but Deirdre had qualms about going out with Dave on her own, despite his keenness, as she was only recently separated from Ken.