Elaine Perkins was the graduate daughter of Bessie Street School headmaster Wilfred Perkins and one-time love of Ken Barlow during his teaching days. Elaine stayed with her father when she was in Weatherfield but mostly lived in London. Her mother was dead and she had at least one brother who also lived in London. Despite several proposals, she had remained unattached, considering herself not ready for marriage. When she met Ken, she was seeing a liberal politician and enjoyed the occasional jaunt overseas, viewing life as something to be enjoyed.