Barry Noakes was a man who came to Peter Barlow's rescue after he was attacked by a thug who then stole his Street Cars cab and mobile phone one day in November 2020. Barry found Peter bleeding and clutching his stomach in pain and offered to ring the police on his behalf, using the mobile that his 48 year-old daughter had given him, with the tart comment that even he would be able to use it. While Barry dialled 999, he handed Peter his hip flask of whisky suggesting he take a swig and refused to take no for an answer, not knowing of his battle with alcoholism. Peter gave in and drained the flask, much to the man's surprise. He waited with Peter for the police, saying that he used to live in Weatherfield though he didn't know of the Rovers, with The Flying Horse being his choice of venue on his return visits to the area.
The next day Barry called into the Rovers to see how Peter was faring and hearing of his identity, Carla Connor declared him to be officially her hero for helping her boyfriend. Peter took Barry into the back room to have a catch up in comfort. When he left, he chatted briefly with Abi Franklin who was worried that her fellow addict was falling off the rails, and Barry confirmed her worst fears when he divulged how Peter had emptied the now-refilled hip flask.