Sir Julius upset workers Ivy Tilsley and Vera Duckworth because the company announced all women over sixty had to retire.
One day Martin arrives at the Rovers knowing his mother is a barmaid who works there, and soon realizes she is Bet.
Idris Hopkins, his wife Vera and their daughter Tricia moved to Coronation Street to take over the tenancy of the Corner Shop in 1974.
When Granny persisted, hoping to buy the shop for a cheaper price, Gordon evicted the family, and they disappeared during the night, never to be seen in Coronation Street again (except for Tricia).
She reappeared posthumously for a single appearance on the 8 November 2010 episode, in which her husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) died.
Blanche Hunt (née Linfield) was originally played by Patricia Cutts; however, the actress committed suicide after appearing in just two episodes in 1974.
The character's "gallows humour" has been well received by critics, and saw Jones win The British Soap Award for "Best Comedy Performance" in 2005 and 2008.