Charlie Whelan was a long distance lorry driver with a fondness for American country music. He appeared in December 1993 when he offered Bet Gilroy and Raquel Wolstenhulme a lift home after a long day of shopping in the Christmas sales. He reappeared at the Rovers Return Inn shortly after. Bet, not long separated from Alec, assumed he was there to pursue Raquel and was astonished, flattered and delighted to discover that it was her he was interested in!