Maureen Hicks was one of three women who went to an after-hours drinking session at the Rovers at Billy Walker's invitation in 1974. Billy and Len Fairclough had organised the private bash to cheer Ken Barlow up after the breakdown of his and Janet Barlow's marriage but it was a surprise to Ken and Len when Maureen, Gaynor Burton and Jean Wilkins walked in, and Billy encouraged them to pair off. Maureen, who had never met Billy before, had short dark hair, described herself as the quiet one and coyly warned the men to watch it.