Carol Palmer was the wife of Charlie Palmer and the mother of RAF pilot Jeff Palmer. She and her husband took in Jeff's widow Claire and their granddaughter Becky after his death in a hangar fire.
In August 1996, Carol and Charlie received a visit from Claire's new partner Des Barnes. Charlie opened up to Des about Jeff's death and the impact it had on the family. Carol and Charlie were upset to learn that Claire hadn't told Des the details of Jeff's death. Claire was surprised to find Des with her in-laws and became defensive when questioned why she hadn't been open with Des about Jeff's death. Claire insisted that she hadn't told Des as she didn't think he would have been bothered. Claire argued with her in-laws and decided to move out of their house and in with Des at 6 Coronation Street. The next day Carol visited Claire who apologised for her outburst but refused to return. As a peace gesture Carol presented Becky with a framed picture of her and Jeff.
In October, Carol challenged Claire about her widow's pension which she was still claiming for despite having formed a new partnership. Claire hadn't told Des about the pension but was forced to open up to him about it. In order to put Carol off the scent, Claire pretended that she had broken up with Des and now lived at 17 Victoria Street but Carol saw through the ruse. Carol accused Claire of cheating the authorities but Claire told Carol to mind her own business. When Carol and Charlie paid Claire and Des a visit in December for Becky's birthday party they discovered that the couple were feuding with neighbours Derek and Mavis Wilton. As part of the feuding Derek delighted in telling the Palmers about Des keeping drugs but realised that he had gone too far as the revelation spoiled Becky's party. After the party Charlie reported Claire to the RAF as he believed that Des had been using her widow's RAF pension for his own uses. Claire was horrified to receive a letter from the RAF revealing that they were going to review her pension and she feared that she would be prosecuted as a result.
- Actress Beatrice Kelley was incorrectly credited as "Beatrice Kelly" in the character's first appearance.
List of appearances[]
1996